Mad cow disease blood test may become standard when donating blood in the UK

**PoloMint** · 11-08-2007

In the near future (months to years) researchers hope to have a reliable blood test for vCJD (human 'mad cow disease'). This test will become part of the standard tests done on donated blood, so that blood testing positive will not make it into the blood banks and potentially infect others (as has been found to happen before).

However the blood bank people are worried that donations will drop sharply as people will fear having this test done on their blood in case they are told they test positive. A similar thing happened when HIV testing began.

Would this put you off donating blood? Would you want to know the results? Should people be told the results if they did not ask for them?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/1425054.stm

**rolfw** · 11-08-2007

I have no problem with it, can't see it making any difference.

The vast majority of the UK population don't give blood anyway.

**PoloMint** · 12-08-2007

Yes, and there may be other benefits apart from preventing the spread through donated blood. We really don't know how widespread this disease is, introducing a test on donations would be quite a effective way of sampling seemingly healthy people all over the country, giving some insight into how how extensive it is (or, hopefully finding out how extensive it isn't).

**rolfw** · 12-08-2007

The blood service already check for HIV and Hepatitis, so as you say, checking for CJD can only be helpful.

It's a great shame that most people don't even consider giving blood.

They are desperately short of certain types, to the degree that they now ring you before each session.

For those who fear the needle, there is now a local anaesthetic available, which takes away any pain, even without, it is only slightly uncomfortable.

**PaulR** · 12-08-2007

This is interesting. Does this mean that the agent that causes vCJD has now been identified? It's already been named a Prion even though nobody knows (knew?) what it looks like.

**Topper** · 12-08-2007

Originally Posted by rolfw

It's a great shame that most people don't even consider giving blood.

It is an even greater shame that the rules are so stringent for blood donors who have had an operation or specific illnesses that deny them the chance to continue donating.

**rolfw** · 12-08-2007

Yes I agree Topper, they obviously have their reasons though.

**Channel Hopper** · 12-08-2007

I give blood whenever thay are in town ( I have two cards for two different regions). The best thing is, having a pint or two in the evening after makes you feel like you have had five.
So giving blood is a cheap way of getting drunk. So you know it makes sense.

**rolfw** · 12-08-2007

LOL, they always say to me "now don't do any strenuous exercise or drink any alcohol this evening . . . . . . . . . . .Yeah, like you'll take any notice of that"

They know me well.

**jimbo** · 12-08-2007

I got a silver award for donating and then contracted glandular fever and they weren't so keen after that.

***2cvbloke*** · 12-08-2007

Originally Posted by PoloMint

Would this put you off donating blood?

Nope, it's the needles that put me off, I hate 'em!!!

**PaulR** · 12-08-2007

Sorry, it's the needles that do it for me as well.

I donated blood once over 30 years ago and just can't bear to repeat the experience. When I had a blood test done a couple of years ago I was very wobbly legged exiting the doctor's. I drove home (not wise in retrospect) and went straight upstairs to bed for the rest of day not to resurface until the following morning! My wife said that I was white as a sheet after the test!

So, sorry and all that, but no way...

**Channel Hopper** · 12-08-2007

Originally Posted by PaulR

Sorry, it's the needles that do it for me as well.

I donated blood once over 30 years ago and just can't bear to repeat the experience. When I had a blood test done a couple of years ago I was very wobbly legged exiting the doctor's. I drove home (not wise in retrospect) and went straight upstairs to bed for the rest of day not to resurface until the following morning! My wife said that I was white as a sheet after the test!

So chopping off a limb would be the better option for you ?

***2cvbloke*** · 12-08-2007

Originally Posted by PaulR

Sorry, it's the needles that do it for me as well.

I donated blood once over 30 years ago and just can't bear to repeat the experience. When I had a blood test done a couple of years ago I was very wobbly legged exiting the doctor's. I drove home (not wise in retrospect) and went straight upstairs to bed for the rest of day not to resurface until the following morning! My wife said that I was white as a sheet after the test!

So, sorry and all that, but no way...

I've had a couple of blood tests in the past year, and each time I have hated it and just wished I could have found an exuse not to go, and each one came back all normal, but the thing is, even to this day I occasionally feel a twinge in either arm where the needle went in which I never used to....

Needles, hate 'em hate 'em hate 'em!!!!

**PaulR** · 13-08-2007

Originally Posted by Channel Hopper

So chopping off a limb would be the better option for you ?

I fail to see how this is an alternative? I've had 30 odd years with all limbs intact so far.

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