Every year, nearly 5 million people in the United States receive life-saving blood transfusions. During a transfusion, you receive whole blood or parts of blood such as
Some people worry about getting sick from giving or receiving blood. It is possible, but is very rare. The Food and Drug Administration and other organizations that collect blood make sure that blood is safe. Every single donation is tested for HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C, syphilis and several other diseases that can be transmitted through blood. Some people who know they may need blood during surgery donate their own ahead of time. That is the safest type of transfusion.
Also available in Spanish
Basics | Learn More | Multimedia & Cool Tools |
---|---|---|
Research | Reference Shelf | For You |
Also available in Spanish
Also available in Spanish
References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
Also available in Spanish
Home | Health Topics | Drugs & Supplements | Encyclopedia | Dictionary | News | Directories | Other Resources | |
Copyright | Privacy | Accessibility | Quality Guidelines U.S. National Library of Medicine, 8600 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20894 National Institutes of Health | Department of Health & Human Services |
Date last updated: 11 September 2008 Topic last reviewed: 18 July 2008 |