Who requires CMV negative blood?

Who requires CMV negative blood?

However, CMV can cause serious problems for people who have weakened immune systems, affecting the eyes, lungs, nervous system, and gastrointestinal tract. For that reason, people who are immunocompromised, such as people with HIV or AIDS, should be given CMV negative blood when needed.

How rare is O positive CMV negative blood?

Do you have what it takes to be a Pediatric Blood Donor? Type O negative blood donors provide the universal blood type most often used in emergency situations. This blood type is not common – less than 8\% of the population has it.

Do they test for CMV when you donate blood?

Regular testing is conducted on blood donations to check for CMV antibodies. The CMV virus is present in up to 85 percent of adults by age 40 – making CMV negative status a big deal. The American Red Cross sends pediatric specific blood products to hospitals throughout the country every day.

What does CMV negative mean in blood donation?

If you are CMV-Negative, we encourage you to donate as often as possible, as your blood can help many of our patients with weakened immune systems! One out of every five people in the greater Los Angeles area is CMV-Negative, meaning their blood has never been exposed to cytomegalovirus (CMV).

Is CMV a STD?

CMV can be sexually transmitted. It can also be transmitted via breast milk, transplanted organs and, rarely, blood transfusions. Although the virus is not highly contagious, it has been shown to spread in households and among young children in day care centers.

What blood type can be given to babies?

O negative and O positive blood donors who are CMV- are part of a special group – Heroes for Babies. The American Red Cross sends pediatric-specific blood products to hospitals throughout the country every day.

What blood type can be given to newborn babies?

Newborn babies can only be transfused with blood that lacks the cytomegalovirus, this blood is labelled CMV-negative. CMV is a mild and very common virus, similar to the virus that causes cold sores or chickenpox – in fact, around 50 to 60 per cent of adults in the UK have had it.

What is the rarest STD?

There’s a nasty sexually transmitted disease that can cause your genitals to rot away – but you’ve probably never heard of it. The super-rare bug, donovanosis, is usually found in tropical countries and some regions the Americans and Southern Africa.

What happens if you are CMV positive?

The majority of children born who experience a CMV infection before birth are healthy and normal. However, 10 to 15\% may have complications such as hearing loss, neurological abnormalities, or decreased motor skills. Infants who are infected with CMV after they are born rarely experience any long-term complications.

Can I donate blood if I am CMV negative?

The American Red Cross sends pediatric specific blood products to hospitals throughout the country every day. Since only a small number of donors are able to meet this very specific medical need, we ask eligible CMV negative donors to answer the call to give blood on a consistent basis.

What is a CMV- donor?

O negative and O positive blood donors who are CMV- are part of a special group – Heroes for Babies. The American Red Cross sends pediatric-specific blood products to hospitals throughout the country every day.

Does the Red Cross donate blood to pediatric patients?

The American Red Cross sends pediatric-specific blood products to hospitals throughout the country every day. Since only a small number of donors are able to meet this very specific medical need, we ask eligible CMV negative donors to answer the call to give blood on a consistent basis.

What is a directed donation of blood?

A directed donation is the donation of blood or platelets that is designated for a specific patient. There is no scientific evidence that designated blood is safer than blood from other volunteer donors. In fact, directed donors must meet the same eligibility criteria as other volunteer donors.