• Welcome
  • Community
  • Blogs
  • Photos
  • Videos
  • Join
  • Log in
Follow MNN    
MNN - Mother Nature Network - Envrionmental News
improve your world

 

Friday, May 25, 2012
  • Earth Matters

    Browse All » Animals Weather Energy Politics Space Translating Uncle Sam Wilderness & Resources

  • Health

    Browse All » Allergies Fitness & Well-Being Healthy Spaces

  • Lifestyle

    Browse All » Arts & Culture Travel Natural Beauty & Fashion Recycling Responsible Living

  • GREEN TECH

    Browse All » Computers Gadgets & Electronics Research & Innovations Transportation

  • Eco-Biz & Money

    Browse All » Green Workplace Personal Finance Sustainable Business Practices

  • Food & Drink

    Browse All » Beverages Healthy Eating Recipes

  • Your Home

    Browse All » At Home Organic Farming & Gardening Remodeling & Design

  • family

    Browse All » Babies & Pregnancy Family Activities Pets Protection & Safety

Tweet
Pin It
Email Bookmark and ShareShare
WorldShares lets you earn donations for your favorite nonprofit. Earn up to 20 points now.
Learn More

Earn Points
What's this?
MNN.COM›

MNN BLOGGERS

Jenn Savedge

Swine flu hits nation's blood supply

Donors stay away while health experts worry about the possibility of spreading infection via transfusions.

Tue, Nov 17 2009 at 9:00 AM EST

Last week, I gave blood at a local blood drive. I'm somewhat new to the experience, giving blood a few times this year after a 15-year hiatus, but even I could tell that something was different this time, different even from just a few months ago. Blood drive numbers are down ... way down as donors steer clear of collection sites due to swine flu hysteria. Behind the scenes, swine flu is wreaking even more havoc on the nation's blood supply, causing many centers to worry if their supplies will be stretched too thin as we head into the busy holiday season.
 
A number of blood centers are reporting an unusual drop in collections because too many potential donors are sick with the H1N1 virus, or swine flu. Some blood drives in high schools, factories and corporate offices have had to be scaled back or canceled because of high levels of absenteeism. 
 
According to a recent story in the Wall Street Journal, another problem that blood centers are facing is that a growing number of donors are calling a day or two after giving blood to say they've come down with flu-like symptoms, forcing the centers to dispose of the blood as part of government regulations. Food and Drug Administration regulations require blood centers to turn away would-be donors who have any symptoms of illness. And any donor who falls ill shortly after giving blood is asked to notify the center where they donated so their blood can be removed from inventory.
 
Unlike infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C and West Nile virus, colds and flu aren't believed to be transmitted by blood. But some studies indicate that more virulent strains can be present in the blood before flu symptoms show up. So far, the swine flu has turned out to be less infectious than health experts initially feared. But because many patients who get blood transfusions have weak immune systems, a flu infection transmitted through the blood could significantly increase the risks of complications or even death.  
 
America's Blood Centers, an association of independent facilities that collect about half the U.S. blood supply, says that 27 percent of its member centers are reporting a decrease in overall collections due to swine flu. The American Red Cross and its local chapters are turning to social-networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter to get the word out about the need for blood.
 
Photo: JustBeingKendall 
Previous Post
Thanksgiving crafts for teens and tweens
   Next Post
Thanksgiving activities for kids
You might also like:
Related Topics: Swine Flu

Comments

Follow this conversation
Add your comment
View:
  • All (0)

Add your comment

Sign in with one of these accounts or just add your comment below.
    Log in or
    create an account
     
    •  
Used only for emailed comments and will not be displayed with your post
Notify me with an email when other people comment on this article.
The posting of advertisement, profanity or personal attacks is prohibited.
Click here to review our Terms of Use

EDITORS' PICKS

tease to asteroids

tease to pet facials

tease to emotional eating

ADVERTISEMENT

NEWSLETTER

Mother Nature. Delivered

CONNECT WITH MNN

Follow @twitterapi
 Tumblr
 Google +

About Jenn Savedge

Green parenting author on raising eco-friendly kids.

RSS feedMore about Jenn

Recent Posts

  • Watch: Tavi Gevinson is a teen just trying to figure it all out
  • Teen invents more accurate test for pancreatic cancer
  • New clue to epilepsy 'miracle diet' may help doctors improve treatment
+ Add this to my site
From our sponsor

Help save a rider: Spread the message of motorcycle safety

Allstate's ONE campaign aims to reduce motorcycle accident rates with the... more >

Allstate Life Tracks: Financial advice for all life stages

Try this new interactive app from Allstate which offers help understanding... more >

Act Out Loud contest drives teens to promote safe driving

The program developed by Allstate and NOYS to raise awareness about stronger teen... more >

Easy tips to drive car thieves away

A car is stolen in the U.S. every 33 seconds. Learn how to make sure your car is... more >

Help protect teen lives and create safer roads for all

Ask Congress to pass national Graduated Driver Licensing provisions from the... more >
Good Hands® Working Together can change the world

Jenn's BLOGROLL

Big Green PurseOrganic Mania
Crunchy ChickenGreen & Clean Mom
Not Quite Crunchy ParentThe Smart Mama
My Plastic Free LifeGreen Phone Booth
Foodie TotsFoodie Tots

ADVERTISEMENT



Quick Links

  • About Us
  • Advisory Board
  • Editors' Blog
  • Press
  • Privacy
  • Sitemap
  • Terms of Service
  • WorldShares

MNN Tools

  • Advice
  • Blogs
  • Day in History
  • Eco-glossary
  • Infographics
  • Lists
  • Photos
  • Videos

Connect

  • Community
  • Contact Us
  • Contests
  • Idea Lab
  • Mixed Greens
  • Newsletters
  • Polls
  • RSS

Channels

  • Earth Matters
  • Health
  • Lifestyle
  • Green Tech
  • Eco-Biz & Money
  • Your Home
  • Family
  • State Reports

Follow MNN

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Tumblr
  • Google+
  • StumbleUpon
 

Copyright © 2012 MNN Holdings, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Website by GLICK INTERACTIVE | Powered by CIRRACORE
 
SPONSORS