Transfusions and Kids: The Deadly HIV Link in Africa

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1997. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

Transfusions and Kids: The Deadly HIV Link in Africa

AIDS Alert--International (12/97) Vol. 12, No. 12, P. 1

Abstract: Many HIV infections in developing nations, especially those in young children, are the result of contaminated blood transfusions. However, experts note that very few resources have been dedicated to prevention efforts in these areas. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Eve Lackritz, such basic remedies as improving blood-screening and blood-banking practices, reducing the number of unnecessary transfusions, and treating malaria with different drugs could play a key role in reducing infection. "Everyone still feels HIV is primarily a sexually transmitted disease, and that blood transfusions aren't driving the epidemic," said Lackritz. As a result: "very little support is going into this very preventable problem." Although the exact number of transfusion-related infections is not known, one Congo study found that blood transfusions were to blame for one-quarter of HIV cases among infants and for 42 percent of HIV infections in children one year and older. Confounding the problem are a lack of resources; frequent transfusions for anemia, which can be caused by malaria; and inappropriate transfusions. According to Lackritz, using new drugs for malaria--which causes 5,000 deaths a day in Africa--could reduce the need for so many transfusions. Lackritz recommends using a combination of pyrimethamine and sulfadoxine instead of the standard chloroquine therapy, to which many malaria infections in eastern Africa are resistant.

971222
AD972330

Copyright © 1997 - Information, Inc., Bethesda, MD. The CDC National Center for HIV, STD and TB Prevention provides the following information as a public service only. Providing synopses of key scientific articles and lay media reports on HIV/AIDS, other sexually transmitted diseases and tuberculosis does not constitute CDC endorsement. This daily update also includes information from CDC and other government agencies, such as background on Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) articles, fact sheets, press releases and announcements. Reproduction of this text is encouraged; however, copies may not be sold, and the CDC HIV/STD/TB Prevention News Update should be cited as the source of the information. Contact the sources of the articles abstracted below for full texts of the articles.

AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Boehringer Ingelheim, Bridgestone/Firestone Charitable Trust, Elton John AIDS Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, AIDS Walk of Orange County, and donations from users like you.

Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 1997. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.

Copyright ©1980, 1997. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content.