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| About Blood |
All blood donations (Autologous, Designated, Whole Blood and Apheresis) are screened by multiple tests to maximize the safety of transfused blood and components. The laboratory at Stanford Medical School Blood Center performs these tests.
Because there is a lag time after exposure before infectious disease tests become positive, all donors are also questioned closely about possible recent exposure to infectious diseases.
ABO\Rh Type: Determines blood type and Rh factor.
Antibody to Cytomegalovirus (CMV): About half of all donors have antibodies to this virus. Although the virus does not cause significant illness in healthy individuals, CMV may cause severe infection in transplant recipients and other patients whose immune systems are impaired. Other patients can safely receive blood that has this antibody.
ALT (also know as SGPT): Tests for elevation of ALT, a liver enzyme, indicates irritation of the liver, possibly due to hepatitis. Alcohol ingestion prior to donating, as well as other factors, may also cause elevation of ALT.
Antibody to Hepatitis Core B Protein: Tests for past exposure to hepatitis B virus.
Hepatitis B Surface Antigen: Tests for the presence of hepatitis B virus.
Antibody to Hepatitis C (HCV) : Tests for past exposure to hepatitis C virus, previously referred to as non-A, non-B hepatitis.
Syphilis Test: Tests for exposure to syphilis infection.
Antibody to HIV (AIDS virus): Tests for exposure to the AIDS virus.
HIV Antigen: Tests for the presence of the AIDS virus.
Antibody to HTLV-I/II: A test which screens for exposure to HTLV-I/II, a virus that may cause leukemia and neurological disease.
As a service to our donors, the following test is available:
Cholesterol: A screeening performed on all donations to identify the individual's total cholesteral level. Results are mailed to all donors (except autologous).
