Young Girl Had To Be Tested For HIV After Blood Donor Turned Out To Be Positive

Giving blood can be a life-saving action, but it can also be dangerous to the recipients if the donors are irresponsible. 

Photo via Huffpost India

Blood donation is important to keep the health service running and to maintain a safe blood supply as well as protect donors and their recipients. 

In Malaysia, for example, you cannot give blood if you are unwell, or if you have done something that puts you at risk for becoming infected with HIV.

In a tweet shared by Ellie, her family recently got a terrifying call from the National Blood Centre (PDN) asking her niece to do an HIV blood test after one of the donors for her blood transfusion was tested positive for HIV. 

PLEASE.

If u know that u r having unhealthy lifestyle, DONT DONATE BLOOD!

We had just had the most terrifiying time of our life when we were called by Pusat Darah Negara, asking my niece to do HIV blood test when 1 of the donor for her blood transfusion was tested +ve for HIV!

— ellie.skincareholic (@elliexa79) November 27, 2020

We dont know what went wrong. PDN said that person tested +ve after he/she donate the blood.

Still. If u know u are having UNHEALTHY LIFESTYLE, DONT DONATE BLOOD! Please 🥺

— ellie.skincareholic (@elliexa79) November 27, 2020

Her caption reads: “Please, if you know you are having an unhealthy lifestyle, DON’T DONATE BLOOD!”

She further explained that her niece is anemic and had to get a regular blood transfusion. 

After they received the call from PDN, her niece was then brought to a hospital for a blood test, which came out negative.

PDN follows the procedure. My guess is the donor donates blood recently and tested +ve. As safety precaution, PDN check on the donor’s prev record and contacted all the blood receiver to do the test. Which is very good.

This post is actually to create awareness to BLOOD DONORS.

— ellie.skincareholic (@elliexa79) November 27, 2020

“We don’t know what went wrong. PDN said that the person tested positive after he/she donated the blood. Still, if you know you are having an unhealthy lifestyle, please don’t donate blood,” she continued in the thread.

She also clarified that PDN did follow the procedure where the blood for transfusion is tested for evidence of certain infectious disease pathogens, such as hepatitis B and C viruses including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). 

That's why masa menderma soalan2 tentang lifestyle ditanya... jujurlah, jangan menipu. Kesian kat recipien darah tu. Kalau ada highrisk behaviour, hari ni mungkin negatif, tapi 6 bulan lagi boleh jadi positif sebab seroconversion.

— Zaira (@zairafadzil) November 27, 2020

One person commented: “This is why when medical officers ask you about your lifestyle, you need to be honest. Don’t lie. If you have a high-risk behaviour, you can test negative today but that test can turn positive in six months due to seroconversion.”

So, guys, donate blood if you can, but please be honest and responsible! 

If you are a first-time donor, here’s what you need to know:

By: Aishah Akashah Ahadiat