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28 May 04 - 10:20 AM (#1195903) Subject: BS: CMV-negative blood donor From: GUEST,MMario Anyone else sdonated blood recently? I just recieved a shiny new donor card - and a letter congratulating me on being a cmv negative donor. (personally I think they could have saved the money on the letter - enclosed brochure, etc...it isn't going to effect whether or not I donate - that is based on my health and the hours of the blood drive. ) So what's with this new CMV designation? And why do they now have to cross off the questions regarding pregnancy for a man? after all - I haven't been pregnant in the last six months - so I just always answered it "no"! yeesh - as I told them last week - it was much easier when I started donating - they checked for hemoglobin and said "jump on the table". |
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28 May 04 - 10:29 AM (#1195917) Subject: RE: BS: CMV-negative blood donor From: wysiwyg Red Cross and others have had to work within an increasingly-nuts set of Federal regs.... But CMV-neg ALSO means that for people that need CMV-free blood because of their own health situation, yours is now ID'd as OK for them. Not all blood or blood products are equal. In fact for some recipients who will receive blood products over a long term, they are matched with specific individual donors whose blood goes just to them. ~Susan |
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28 May 04 - 11:10 AM (#1195948) Subject: RE: BS: CMV-negative blood donor From: jeffp Apparently, CMV is of great concern to pregnant women and immunocompromised individuals. Here is a link to CMV information. I just gave blood last Friday, but I haven't heard anything special. The guy just updated my card and gave it back to me. |
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28 May 04 - 11:58 AM (#1195980) Subject: RE: BS: CMV-negative blood donor From: GUEST,MMario one nice thing about the updated donor card - I now have the official tally of my donations - I just hit 4.5 gallons. |
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28 May 04 - 07:51 PM (#1196325) Subject: RE: BS: CMV-negative blood donor From: Rapparee I wanted to donate two weeks ago, but was rejected because I'd just had a root canal. I was 7 gallons in Indiana, but now I have to start over again -- so far, 3 units in 13 months in Idaho. I was listed as CMV positive in Indiana. Don't want them cookies and juice. Jist gimme a bottle of whiskey and some raw meat after that donation. |
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28 May 04 - 08:29 PM (#1196347) Subject: RE: BS: CMV-negative blood donor From: Morticia When you donate in Germany they give you beer or brandy.....clocked up quite a few in Germany *G* |
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28 May 04 - 10:18 PM (#1196400) Subject: RE: BS: CMV-negative blood donor From: darkriver Our first son was born 2 months prematurely, and he had a number of problems requiring blood transfusion. They would only accept CMV-negative blood, and there was none in stock at that moment, so we really had to cast a wide net among our friends and acquaintances (and quickly) to get Dev his blood. I'm glad that you can perform this special task, MMario. Doug |
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29 May 04 - 04:01 PM (#1196652) Subject: RE: BS: CMV-negative blood donor From: Firecat I don't think the UK blood donor service checks for CMV postive or negative, unless it's the same as Rhesus, which my blood donor card has on it. We get tea or coffee over here afterwards, unless it's your first time, in which case you get cold orange. I've done it three times now. Would have done it last month, but I had a really bad cold and got rejected. |
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29 May 04 - 04:10 PM (#1196658) Subject: RE: BS: CMV-negative blood donor From: Joe Offer I'm CMV-negative, so they often use my blood for pediatrics. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infects 50-85% of Americans before they reach the age of 40 - so you and I are rare birds, MMario. -Joe Offer- |
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13 May 09 - 10:49 PM (#2631305) Subject: RE: BS: CMV-negative blood donor From: GUEST,M Maybe someone can help me answer this question.....I am a B- CMV negative blood donor and just found out what my blood type is because it was my first time.....I have a concern.....In the next 1-2 months I will be going into a fairly invasive surgery that may require a blood transfusion.....I have plans to have an autologous transfuision(meaning store my blood before the surgery just in case). ..What happens if I can't get enough and I need to have someone elses blood?....Must it be B- as well as CMV negative?.....What if the blood I receive is positive for CMV? Will I be O.K.? or will I have CMV for life?...Is it curable??? Help..... |
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13 May 09 - 11:15 PM (#2631313) Subject: RE: BS: CMV-negative blood donor From: JohnInKansas Guest M The site linked in the third post by jeffp has moved, sometime in the past 5 years; but if you click the link it will redirect you to the new location. I didn't dig down into the information there, but it appears to be fairly extensive, and the cdc.gov (Communicable Disease Center, US) is reasonably reliable. Old link: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/cmv.htm New link: http://www.cdc.gov/cmv/. John |
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14 May 09 - 03:02 AM (#2631369) Subject: RE: BS: CMV-negative blood donor From: Barry Finn My brother-in-law donates as often as they allow. He has something special about his plasma (my sister tells me but I'm not sure what's she's talking about) that makes his blood a very rare donation. He didn't know about this until I needed blood for my 1st transplant. So he's been donating staedly for the past 9yrs. They gave him some kind of appreaction award. Barry |
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14 May 09 - 07:42 AM (#2631520) Subject: RE: BS: CMV-negative blood donor From: jacqui.c I am not allowed to donate now - having had any kind of cancer puts you right out of the donor pool. I also have the disadvantage of being British, so the USA won't take my blood anyway. |
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14 May 09 - 08:15 AM (#2631550) Subject: RE: BS: CMV-negative blood donor From: Backwoodsman "I also have the disadvantage of being British, so the USA won't take my blood anyway" Surely you mean 'advantage' jacqui? :-) |
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14 May 09 - 08:26 AM (#2631556) Subject: RE: BS: CMV-negative blood donor From: jacqui.c LOL - from a blood doning point of view it is a disadvantage over here! |
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14 May 09 - 09:08 AM (#2631592) Subject: RE: BS: CMV-negative blood donor From: catspaw49 I obviously can no longer give blood but many thanks to all who have and continue to do so. I still list myself as an organ donor on my driver's license but I really want to add a footnote to it that says, "But don't get too excited about it." I can't think of much I've got that isn't somehow fucked up....LOL.......I can see the harvesters saying, "We can't use ANY of this stuff! Jesus.......What the hell did this guy do to himself?" Spaw |
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14 May 09 - 10:05 AM (#2631639) Subject: RE: BS: CMV-negative blood donor From: Mrrzy They won't let me donate either, I was having sex in the 70's in Africa. |
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14 May 09 - 06:17 PM (#2632032) Subject: RE: BS: CMV-negative blood donor From: Liz the Squeak Heart Surgery a few years ago put paid to my donating finally... but I racked up a whole body's worth in my time! LTS |
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14 May 09 - 09:14 PM (#2632140) Subject: RE: BS: CMV-negative blood donor From: Peace Dr. Judith Feinberg, "CMV negative" means you have never been infected with cytomegalovirus. For most people with healthy immune systems, infection with CMV or not is usually of little consequence, but people with damaged or immature (like newborns) immune systems are susceptible to life-threatening CMV infection. You are lucky. |
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15 May 09 - 01:36 AM (#2632267) Subject: RE: BS: CMV-negative blood donor From: JohnInKansas I've tried to donate many times, but with "chronic rhinitis" (since I was 9 or 10) it's impossible to tell if I'm healthy (to the extent I ever am) or might have a cold, flu, or something even more serious, and my donations have been declined on every attempt. (In my middle-age years they added the complaint that my cholesterol levels were so high they likely wouldn't get anything but grease smears.) They seem now to be reluctant to take me as a "first time donor" just due to my "maturity." Although some older persons apparently are allowed to continue to donate at my age, it seems that they don't like bringing "old virgins" into the activity, and my current "medicine load" would probably get them something resembling a chemical plant effluent in a poor third world locale. I might have had more success earlier if I had a more "unusual" blood type, but O+ is common enough (I'm told) that there is seldom a real shortage - at least not like those that happen frequently for rarer types. After being rejected, I'd usually go home and drink an OJ in solitude in honor of those who were accepted. [sniff, sniff] John |
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15 May 09 - 02:11 AM (#2632269) Subject: RE: BS: CMV-negative blood donor From: Peace They used to take mine: O-, but since I started taking an ace inhibitor, that's that. |
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15 May 09 - 06:52 AM (#2632375) Subject: RE: BS: CMV-negative blood donor From: Jeri I think I'm still eligible, but I stopped because I get migraines after I donate. They used to call me up to donate for pediatric patients (A-, not terribly rare, but not common), but I don't know if they tested for CMV 10 years ago. I'd be surprised if I hadn't been infected sometime. Hell, I had illnesses there are vaccines for now. You had to suffer to grow up in those days! (No shoes, uphill both ways, yada, yada.) I got the Hep B vaccine because I was a military medical worker (and I could tell you what all the viral hepatitis markers on lab tests indicated, whoopee), so I was at least forever safe when it came to that, not that they don't still have to test for B and other letters of the viral hepatitis alphabet. So, when did they start testing for CMV? I think there's an age limit on donating anyway. Off to the dentist for part A of a crown. T |
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16 May 09 - 12:34 AM (#2633056) Subject: RE: BS: CMV-negative blood donor From: Peace Safe forever--NOPE. The Hep B shots need to be re-done every 10 years. FYI, Jeri. |
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16 May 09 - 09:23 AM (#2633262) Subject: RE: BS: CMV-negative blood donor From: Jeri Thanks. When I got them, they were believed to grant permanent immunity, just like successfully fighting off the virus. A study in the Annals of Internal Medicinefound that after 15 years, 84% of participants still had protective antibodies 15 years after receiving the vaccine series. Three participants became infected with hepatitis B 10 to 15 years after vaccination. (Which sort of demolishes my theory that infection might just act like a booster.) So far though, in the US, there doesn't appear to be any recommendation for booster shots or even periodic titers for health care workers (CDC recommendations) or the general population (CDC recommendations). Guess they'd do a titer or give me a booster if I ever got exposed. |
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16 May 09 - 12:34 PM (#2633366) Subject: RE: BS: CMV-negative blood donor From: McGrath of Harlow "Negative blood donor" - that could be a euphemistic way of referring to a vampire... |
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16 May 09 - 12:37 PM (#2633368) Subject: RE: BS: CMV-negative blood donor From: Jeri Or Charles Momewrath Vorpals, who gives blood but complains the whole time. |
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16 May 09 - 03:27 PM (#2633481) Subject: RE: BS: CMV-negative blood donor From: catspaw49 All this talk of meds makes me wonder......Time for a new thread. Spaw |
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17 May 09 - 08:36 AM (#2633815) Subject: RE: BS: CMV-negative blood donor From: GUEST,leeneia I recently attended a dinner with a special tribute to a donor who gave 'baby blood' again and again to save the life of a newborn girl. I researched 'baby blood' and found it is blood that is CMV negative. The CDC says that herpes and chicken pox will make you lose your CMV status. (I've lost mine to chicken pox in childhood.) |
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17 May 09 - 10:29 AM (#2633869) Subject: RE: BS: CMV-negative blood donor From: Ed T I make a point to donate every month and a half, and have eagerly done so for many years. Last winter, I travelled to Dominican Republic, and luckily visited one of the few areas where there is no malaria liklihood, so my donation was not impacted. This winter, I went to Cuba...no donation restrictions if you travel there (its practically malaria free). My best post-donation food was last July, when they had strawberry shortcake....the sweet buscuit type. mmmmm. I would have donated twice, if they would have allowed it. |
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17 May 09 - 05:48 PM (#2634189) Subject: RE: BS: CMV-negative blood donor From: Peace I may have been wrong, Jeri. (The last info I had for Hep B was that a booster was necessary after--first it was five and then ten years--but this is the latest. "Will your child need a booster shot later in life? At the present time, booster doses are not recommended routinely for people with normal immune systems. Although the level of protective antibodies in the blood of a vaccinated person seems to decline with time, the immune system retains an immunization "memory" and if the person is exposed to HBV, the system "kicks in" and provides the needed protection. Experts are continuing to monitor the long-term effectiveness of hepatitis B vaccine and will issue recommendations on the need for booster doses if evidence shows that booster doses are necessary." |
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17 May 09 - 05:54 PM (#2634192) Subject: RE: BS: CMV-negative blood donor From: Jeri I thought it might be different in Canada, but doing a post exposure titer would make sense. (Used to work in the 'needle stick' program, but that was 10 years ago.) |
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18 May 09 - 08:40 AM (#2634655) Subject: RE: BS: CMV-negative blood donor From: Noreen I noticed CMV+ on my donation card when I gave blood once, which must be over 23 years ago as I haven't been able to donate since I had my children. So yes, they do test for CMV here in the UK, they don't necessarily tell you about it unless you're nosy like me and ask what it means! (Well, they may do now, as MMario has found). |
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11 Jun 09 - 03:32 PM (#2654227) Subject: RE: BS: CMV-negative blood donor From: SINSULL So! Inspired by all the positive thoughts in this thread, when I saw the Red Cross Bus parked outside my office building on Tuesday, I decided to donate blood. I now have an 11 inch by 8 inch by 8 inch bruise in delightful shades of black, purple, yellow, red, and green. About 90% of the way thru my blood stopped flowing and so I was prodded, poked, massaged and manhandled for the next 3-4 oz. Have to wear long sleeves or endure squeals of disgust and "Have you seen a doctor". I did call my doctor. Her assistant said "Ice packs". This happened the last time I tried to donate in 1971. Never again...except maybe for Kendall. |
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11 Jun 09 - 06:58 PM (#2654398) Subject: RE: BS: CMV-negative blood donor From: Pistachio I'm awating permission to donate again having an erratic haemoglobin level. I've only been able to donate every second attempt, when I make the 12.6 required over this side of the pond. They're checking up on me, to see if I'm 'leaking' anywhere... ... trouble is since I 've taken iron tablets I've gained 5 lbs in 4 weeks. Feeling really sluggish but looking forward to a blood test on Monday. Can't complain. There's so many folks that need this gift that I'm keen to share whenever I can. H.x |
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12 Jun 09 - 09:08 AM (#2654789) Subject: RE: BS: CMV-negative blood donor From: SINSULL Bruise continues to go around my arm about 2/4 of the way and extends 3" above the elbow and 10" below joining up with the fingerprints. Very impressive and make-up doesn't help much. When peopl ask I tell them my boss grabbed me in anger - LOL |
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12 Jun 09 - 01:32 PM (#2654985) Subject: RE: BS: CMV-negative blood donor From: SINSULL 2/4???? LOL I think I meant 1/2. |
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13 Jun 09 - 09:44 AM (#2655551) Subject: RE: BS: CMV-negative blood donor From: GUEST,leeneia Sinsull, if I had that bruise, I wouldn't donate either. I suggest you tell people what you have taken up playing rugby. That will earn you the reputation of being a lady nobody should trifle with. |