Blood donate

[Doc Alan]

Well done Dedworth for donating more blood and reminding us about the topic .

It’s a good idea for everyone to know their blood group in case they might need a transfusion, or decide to donate blood ( although in each case their blood group would be tested first ). Only 4% of us give blood in the UK .

Your blood group is determined by antigens – protein molecules on the surface of red blood cells ; and antibodies in the blood.


• The most common blood type is " O ( Rh ) positive " - about 40% in the UK ( 45% in the Philippines ). Next is A positive ( 36% UK ; 23% Philippines ) ; B positive ( 7% UK ; 25% Philippines ); O negative ( 7% UK ); A negative ( 6% UK ); AB positive ( 2.5% UK ; 5% Philippines ) B negative ( 1% UK ) ; ( entire Rh negative group less than 1% Philippines ).


• Of course blood must be as safe as possible – both for the donor before giving it, and also the recipient. Not only should it be of compatible group, but it should also be free of transfusion-transmissible diseases. It is therefore tested for HIV ( Human Immunodeficiency Virus ); HBV ( hepatitis B virus ); HCV ( hepatitis C virus ); and syphilis - in both the UK and the Philippines ( Philippine Red Cross ). Some tests are not performed on every donation – for example, malaria ( which may very rarely be transmissible by donated blood ).


• Neither the World Health Organization nor anyone else knows the true frequencies of HIV infection and AIDS cases in the UK or the Philippines.

Testing is not done without consent in either country.

Over 100,000 are estimated to be living with HIV in the UK, a quarter being " unaware of their infection ". A far smaller number have AIDS - which can be treated but not cured, and for which there is no vaccine. Men having sex with men account for over 40,000; heterosexuals about 60,000.

The Philippines Department of Health estimated total number of HIV cases in the country is about 23,000 - almost all males, and 4/5 men having sex with men. The recent increase in numbers in part reflects more accurate diagnosis and reporting.


http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Blood-g...roduction.aspx


http://www.blood.co.uk/about-blood/blood-group-basics/


http://www.redcross.org.ph/get-involved/give-blood


https://www.gov.uk/government/upload...07-01-2015.pdf


http://www.doh.gov.ph/sites/default/...IDSreg2014.pdf

[Michael Parnham]

Well done Dedworth for donating more blood and reminding us about the topic .

It’s a good idea for everyone to know their blood group in case they might need a transfusion, or decide to donate blood ( although in each case their blood group would be tested first ). Only 4% of us give blood in the UK .

Your blood group is determined by antigens – protein molecules on the surface of red blood cells ; and antibodies in the blood.


• The most common blood type is " O ( Rh ) positive " - about 40% in the UK ( 45% in the Philippines ). Next is A positive ( 36% UK ; 23% Philippines ) ; B positive ( 7% UK ; 25% Philippines ); O negative ( 7% UK ); A negative ( 6% UK ); AB positive ( 2.5% UK ; 5% Philippines ) B negative ( 1% UK ) ; ( entire Rh negative group less than 1% Philippines ).


• Of course blood must be as safe as possible – both for the donor before giving it, and also the recipient. Not only should it be of compatible group, but it should also be free of transfusion-transmissible diseases. It is therefore tested for HIV ( Human Immunodeficiency Virus ); HBV ( hepatitis B virus ); HCV ( hepatitis C virus ); and syphilis - in both the UK and the Philippines ( Philippine Red Cross ). Some tests are not performed on every donation – for example, malaria ( which may very rarely be transmissible by donated blood ).


• Neither the World Health Organization nor anyone else knows the true frequencies of HIV infection and AIDS cases in the UK or the Philippines.

Testing is not done without consent in either country.

Over 100,000 are estimated to be living with HIV in the UK, a quarter being " unaware of their infection ". A far smaller number have AIDS - which can be treated but not cured, and for which there is no vaccine. Men having sex with men account for over 40,000; heterosexuals about 60,000.

The Philippines Department of Health estimated total number of HIV cases in the country is about 23,000 - almost all males, and 4/5 men having sex with men. The recent increase in numbers in part reflects more accurate diagnosis and reporting.


http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Blood-g...roduction.aspx


http://www.blood.co.uk/about-blood/blood-group-basics/


http://www.redcross.org.ph/get-involved/give-blood


https://www.gov.uk/government/upload...07-01-2015.pdf


http://www.doh.gov.ph/sites/default/...IDSreg2014.pdf

Thanks Alan, am I too old to be a doner?

[jake]

Thanks Alan, am I too old to be a doner?

Michael this was taken from the link that Dedworth provided in his previous post. I was also curious about the age limit, as they seem to be stricter here in the Philippines.

Most people can give blood. As long as you are fit and healthy, weigh over 7 stone 12 lbs (50kg) and are aged between 17 and 66 (up to 70 if you have given blood before) you should be able to give blood. If you are over 70, you need to have given blood in the last two years to continue donating. However, If you are female, aged under 20 years old and weigh under 65kg (10st 3lb) and are under 168cm (5' 6") in height, we need to estimate your blood volume before donating

http://www.blood.co.uk/giving-blood/who-can-give-blood/

[Michael Parnham]

Michael this was taken from the link that Dedworth provided in his previous post. I was also curious about the age limit, as they seem to be stricter here in the Philippines.

Most people can give blood. As long as you are fit and healthy, weigh over 7 stone 12 lbs (50kg) and are aged between 17 and 66 (up to 70 if you have given blood before) you should be able to give blood. If you are over 70, you need to have given blood in the last two years to continue donating. However, If you are female, aged under 20 years old and weigh under 65kg (10st 3lb) and are under 168cm (5' 6") in height, we need to estimate your blood volume before donating

http://www.blood.co.uk/giving-blood/who-can-give-blood/

Thanks Jake, appreciated!