Six groups urged not to give blood

Press, 6 July 1983, Page 33

Six groups urged not to give blood

NZPA Melbourne The Victorian Red Cross Blood Bank has issued a leaflet asking special community groups not to give blood donations because of the increased risk of contracting the often fatal AIDS disease. The Victorian director, Dr Jack Morris, said that if donors assessed themselves

as belonging to any of six groups which were at risk of catching AIDS they should not give blood. Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, is a recently described condition in which the sufferer’s resistance to infection is seriously lowered. No cure has yet been discovered. The leaflet outlined the groups at risk as persons

with symptoms and signs suggestive of AIDS: © Severe night sweats, unexplained fevers, unexpected weight loss, and persistent swollen glands. © Homosexual or bisexual men who have sexual relations with many partners. © Sexual contacts of persons who have symptoms or signs suggestive of AIDS. • Persons in whom laboratory tests have revealed an immune deficiency.

© Present or past users of drugs of addiction or injection.

© Recent immigrants from Haiti and a number of African countries. Dr Morris said that all members of the “high risk” groups were carriers of the disease. “But because there is no means of detection to eliminate those few who may be carriers, we have no alternative but to ask all those at risk voluntarily to refrain from giving blood.”