In the 'Past Medical Procedures' section of our in-depth questionnaire we ask the following question about blood transfusions:
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Have you received any blood transfusions?
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Your answer |
...indicates |
...and suggests |
| 1. |
"No / don't know" |
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| 2. |
"Yes, one" |
Blood transfusions |
A risk factor |
| 3. |
"Yes, several" |
Blood transfusions |
A risk factor |
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Your answer will affect the likelihoods of the conditions below.
Any answers in green reduce the likelihood of the condition.
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| Answers |
Condition |
Comment |
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2 |
3 |
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AIDS |
-- |
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2 |
3 |
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Babesiosis |
Babesiosis can, in extremely rare cases, be spread person-to person through blood transfusions. |
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2 |
3 |
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Chagas Disease |
-- |
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2 |
3 |
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Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease |
-- |
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2 |
3 |
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Hepatitis |
While transfusion-related HIV and hepatitis are now relatively rare events, emerging or unknown infections, transfusion errors, and immunomodulation remain compelling reasons to minimize the use of allogeneic transfusion. |
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2 |
3 |
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Malaria |
Each year in the United States, a few cases of malaria result from blood transfusions, are passed from mother to fetus during pregnancy, or are transmitted by locally infected mosquitoes. |
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2 |
3 |
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West Nile Virus |
West Nile virus can be spread through blood transfusions. |
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GLOSSARY
Hepatitis
Inflammation of the liver usually resulting in jaundice (yellowing of the skin), loss of appetite, stomach discomfort, abnormal liver function, clay-colored stools, and dark urine. May be caused by a bacterial or viral infection, parasitic infestation, alcohol, drugs, toxins or transfusion of incompatible blood. Can be life-threatening. Severe hepatitis may lead to cirrhosis and chronic liver dysfunction.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
A retrovirus associated with onset of advanced immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).
Virus (Viri, Viruses)
Any of a vast group of minute structures composed of a protein coat and a core of DNA and/or RNA that reproduces in the cells of the infected host. Capable of infecting all animals and plants, causing devastating disease in immunocompromised individuals. Viruses are not affected by antibiotics, and are completely dependent upon the cells of the infected host for the ability to reproduce.
Last updated: May 10, 2007
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