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Canadian Medical Association Journal
CMAJ - May 19, 1998 JAMC - le 19 mai 1998

The risk is in the transfusion, not the donation

CMAJ 1998;158:1266

See response from: P. Sullivan
In the article "Plasma-collection plant has to overcome tainted-blood fallout in search for donors" (CMAJ 1998;158[3]:380-1 [in brief / en bref]), Michael OReilly wrote that "the odds of becoming infected with HIV following blood donation are now 1 in 1 million" [emphasis added].

The risk to which he refers is the residual risk of a unit of blood being positive for HIV if it is donated during the period between infection and detectability of the virus by current screening assays. This is a potential risk to the recipient, not the donor, and is currently estimated at 1 in 913 000 in Canada.1 Blood donors face no risk of infection through donation.

The perception persists that donating blood may cause HIV infection, and this perception must be dispelled as we attempt to regain donor confidence and ensure an adequate and safe blood supply. Because CMAJ has published considerable literature on the blood system in Canada, I believe it is imperative to clarify this point and to avoid errors that could perpetuate myths about the risks of blood donation.

Graham Sher, MD
Medical Officer
Toronto Centre
Canadian Red Cross Society
Medical Director
Blood Transfusion Service
The Toronto Hospital and
  Princess Margaret Hospital
Toronto, Ont.

Reference

  1. Expert Working Group. Guidelines for red blood cell and plasma transfusion for adults and children. CMAJ 1997;156(11 Suppl):S1-24.

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