I was living as a student in Mexico, and although I received medical attention, my blood was never actually tested.  My best guess is that it was Hep A, but could conceivably been Hep B. As an adult, I have been tested for Hep C and the results were negative.  I understand that I cannot be reinfected for whichever type I actually had.  Does the fact that my blood carries the antibodies make it unsuitable for donation?
214824
"If you had hepatitis (inflammation of the liver) caused by a virus, or unexplained jaundice (yellow discoloration of the skin), since age 11, you are not eligible to donate blood. This includes those who had hepatitis with Cytomegalovirus (CMV), or Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), the virus that causes Mononucleosis. \n\nAcceptable if you had jaundice or hepatitis caused by something other than a viral infection, for example: medications, Gilbert's disease, bile duct obstruction, alcohol, gallstones or trauma to the liver. \n\nIf you ever tested positive for hepatitis B or hepatitis C , at any age, you are not eligible to donate, even if you were never sick or jaundiced from the infection."\n\nhttp://www.redcross.org/services/biomed/0,1082,0_557_,00.html
96695
hepatitis B is a disease that can be acquired thru unprotected sex, blood transfusion, needle sharing (drug users...exposure to blood)or organ transplant from infected individual.\nYour test will be non-reactive at a certain point. your body is producing antibodies to each hepatitis marker and they will be the determinant factor if you are still infectious or not. sadly, there is no known cure for hepatitis B. although your test may show negative to the antigen, you can still be a carrier.\nthe best way is to live a healthy life. as long as your body is healthy, you have little to worry. \nand the most important thing is...consult your doctor and have him do a work-up.
384698
Liver functions & liver enzymes can be in the normal range even when you have Hep C. 40% of people with HCV have enzymes in the normal range. If I were you, I would redo the hepatitis screening test. It should be either "reactive" or "non-reactive"; if it is non-reactive, then you have not been exposed. If it is reactive, then you will need another test to determine if you have chronic, active hep c. That test is the HCV PCR RNA. If that one comes back detecting any number , then that means you have Hep C. Best wishes to you.
346248
Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) is a protein antigen produced by HBV. This antigen is the earliest indicator of acute hepatitis B and frequently identifies infected people before symptoms appear. HBsAg disappears from the blood during the recovery period. In some people (particularly those infected as children or those with a weak immune system, such as those with AIDS), chronic infection with HBV may occur and HBsAg remains positive.\nFor more info, check out the link below.
641871
What, now I thought that you were an immortal being, the immortal can not get anything.\nbut your average blood drinker should definately make them get a blood test.
666466
I am not for sure.  I know a person with M.S. can't....tell him to call a blood bank and ask them; they'd know.
390524
B-  This blood type consists of Anti -A antibodies in the plasma and B antigens on the erythrocytes. Hope this helps!
206541
I feel for you, i have just been cleared of Hep B, when i got it the hospital were so unhelpful, they acted like it was all my fault and i deserved what i got (one nurse in perticular commented how i should'nt sleep about!!!). In truth, 3 years down the line i still dont know how or where i contracted it. when i got home i felt like a leper but my family were on hand for me giving me support and researching on the internet for me (even to the point of being vaccinated for me/against me) Are you in the US? is should be illegal for them to discriminate againt you on those grounds, you need to talk to a lawyer. Best of wishes and good health for the future.
270884
Usually there has to be an order from a physician to check for certain things. But some doctors order tests like hepatitis b, c and hiv if the patient is pregnant or seems to be at high risk for infection, If you feel that you need to be tested contact a local health department. the price is not as expensive as private doctor office and of course all test results will be confidential Good Luck
505421
There are two things to consider:\n\n  In a blood transfusion, they don't always give you all the components of blood (the red blood cells, the platelets, the plasma, etc.).  In a normal transfusion, the person ONLY gets red blood cells and the plasma.  Neither of these has DNA...  Red blood cells do not have have a nucleus at all; that is why your body is constantly making new ones (and why you can keep giving blood without eventually "running out").  The plasma is just "fluid", so there's no nucleus there, either.  So, just getting a normal transfusion will not expose you to DNA.\n  Second, IF DNA somehow got in, I don't think there would be enough of it to cause any problem.  It would only be a small amount (because blood is largely plasma and cells) and, so, any DNA would not be common and, thus, probably easily handled by your body's defense system.  \n  Besides, DNA would only be a problem if it was in a cell where it can be translated and transcribed into gene products (proteins, etc.).  If it was just "floating around" in your blood, product wouldn't be made from it.  Also, the DNA would probably degrade fairly quickly.  DNA is sturdy, but blood has plenty of enzymes and different pHs that would most likely damage the DNA in some way.\n  So, that's my answer.  the second part was a little bit speculation, but I believe I'm right (I KNOW I'm right about the first part).
347225
Yes, you're absolutely right.\n\nMy husband and I can't give blood because of earlier health problems, but my (grown up) children do.\n\nEven the youngest, who is TERRIFIED of needles. She does it because other donors saved her dad's life.
640942
Hepatitis A can be transmitted from food. It's an oral-fecal route. If the one handled the food didn't was their hands after using the bathroom this is how you get it. It's curable but self limiting. Unlike Hepatitis B it's not curable and it's transmitted through infected blood and semen. There's a vaccine available to prevent the disease. By the way they don't activate each other.
342258
There is no "Universal Donor."\nWe used to beleive that O/Rh- was universal, meaning that anyone could recieve a transfusion from a person with this blood type, and by far it is the closest type as far as being "universal." But with further research, we have seen that even O/Rh- donors have some antibodies in their blood that can cause reactions in the recipients. \nDoctors/nurses now combine--or crossmatch--a small sample of the donor's blood with that of the recipient's to check if they are compatible.
379723
You need a simple lab test to find out your blood group type. A small jab at the tip of the index finger and a drop of blood is all that is needed to know your blood group. \n\nRegarding blood donation:\nYou could donate blood if you are between 18-55 yrs of age and with a weight of 50 kg or above with pulse rate, body temperature and blood pressure should be normal. \n\nThere are only few conditions in which donors are permanently excluded. The donor with history of epilepsy, psychotic disorders, abnormal bleeding tendencies, severe asthma, cardiovascular disorders, malignancy are permanently unfit for blood donation. Donors suffering from disease like hepatitis, malaria, measles, mumps, and syphilis may donate blood after full recovery with 3-6 months gap. Also people who have undergone surgery, blood transfusion may safely donate blood after 6-12 mths for woman donors who are pregnant or lactating blood is not taken as their iron reserves are already on the lower side.
559599
Yes, but I haven't donated in years.  Last time I went in I was anemic, and then I was pregnant, and now with a 5 month old I haven't had time.  I love to donate blood, there is nothing better than knowing that with a little needle prick you could save someones life.
261083
What I think you're saying is that your birth records show that you have type B- blood, but you had a child and now your records show you have A+ blood...is that correct?\n\nIf they are both your blood type, one of them definitely has to be wrong.  Your blood type doesn't change.  This is going to sound odd, but there is a free way to find out your blood type and it helps other people too--you can donate blood.  Of course, you should only do that if you have no diseases that can be passed on to others through your blood.  They will give you a screening at the donor center to make sure you're eligible.  When you give blood at the American Red Cross, a few weeks later they will send you a donor card that has your blood type on it.  Then you'll know your blood type and it's completely free.  Plus your blood donation can help save the lives of up to three people.  That's how I found out my blood type and I have been donating blood ever since.   \n\nAfter you know your blood type, you can start tracking down what's wrong with your records.  Sounds like it's going to be an interesting and complicated process.  Good luck!
277723
Hepatitis B can be cured is some cases, resolve on it's own in some cases, becomes an asymptomatic carrier of the virus in some cases, or become a serious chronic disease with the potential of causing liver cancer. Only a physician can run the blood tests that will tell you what your situation might be. Here is a good CDC link for basic info.\n\nhttp://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/hepatitis/b/faqb.htm