If you've donated blood or received transfusions (re: Babesiosis)...

[MaryAnnDVC]

...did you ever hear of the disease Babesiosis??

I donated blood about a month ago, and today I got a letter saying the recipient of my blood, as well as the blood of 37 other people, was recently diagnosed with Babesiosis, a disease that can be mild or deadly. It's transmitted by deer ticks and also blood transfusions of infected people, so they want all 38 people to come in for testing. It can take up to 12 months for symptoms to appear, so just because I haven't been in any deer tick areas lately, I'm not feeling particularly reassured that I'm not the one who has it.

According to this website: http://www.astdhpphe.org/infect/babesiosis.html

Babesiosis occurs mainly in coastal areas in the northeastern United States, especially the offshore islands of New York and Massachusetts. Cases have also been reported in Wisconsin, California, Georgia, and in some European countries.

According to the blood center, "Babesia testing is not part of the battery of tests performed on your blood." I'm kind of curious tho...if I'm donating blood in northeastern US, why isn't it? Lots of questions to ask.

I never thought that I'd be concerned about receiving donated blood...I figured at this point, with AIDS and everything else, that blood for transfusions was well-tested. It's still possible this patient did not get Babesiosis from a blood donation, but jeez...just knowing that could happen is a little disturbing.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Never have heard of it, MAre, but wishing you some peace of mind. {{Hugs}}. I would probably be nervous also.

 

[nativetxn]

YIKES Mare. Potentially fatal disease??? I wouldn't be thrilled to get that information either.

Thinking positive thoughts that you don't have this illness.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

Thanks. Yeah, this has me a little concerned, altho I don't fit into the categories of people who can get a severe case, which is nice to know...

Anyone can get babesiosis, but some people are at increased risk for severe
disease:

a.. Elderly persons
b.. Persons with weakened immune systems
c.. Persons whose spleens have been removed

Still, I'm marching off to the blood center ASAP to be tested.

You know, I never really thought about who might be receiving my blood. 38 people donated to this person...I wonder if it was a victim of the nightclub fire, who would have a weakened immune system I would imagine. How awful that he/she...whoever it might be...is dealing with it.

 

[Mishetta]

OMG, how scary! I hope all turns out well for you. Now I will just be concerned that my mom does not receive any of this possibly diseased blood as it would surely kill her. My mom receives 3 pints of blood every 2.5 to 3 weeks. Due to her Bone Marrow Cancer, her body no longer produces blood so she has to get it from donations, which comes from all over the country. Our main concern has been that they have 0 negative in stock (it's the one that they always seem to have a shortage of), but now this post brings a whole new concern to light. My mom has probably received donated blood from at least 50 people by now.

 

[Kitty 34]

Oh my, I wouldn't like getting that kind of info either!!! {{{{{{HUGS}}}}} to you, Mary.