The South African National Blood Service (SANBS) is presently experiencing low blood stocks.
The SANBS has 1.8 days of stock available.
The ideal would be a five day stock.
Blood donors who are able to donate are urged to visit their nearest blood donation centre.
Do not give blood if:
- You have had more than one sexual partner in the past six months.
- You have had sexual contact with someone whose sexual background is unknown to you.
- You are a man who has been involved in sexual activity with another man.
- You have, or may have, contracted a sexually transmissible disease (STD) such as HIV or Syphilis that can be passed on to a patient through a blood transfusion.
- You are giving blood in order to get a free HIV/AIDS test.
Donating blood is safe:
You cannot contract HIV/AIDS from donating blood. All needles and finger prick lancets are new, sterile and used only once. After use, each lancet and needle is placed in a special medical-waste container and incinerated. Trained staff collect all blood donations and very strict protocols are followed to ensure that all blood donation procedures are safe and hygienic.
Main blood groups:
Chemical substances found in red blood cells determine blood groups. The two most important blood group systems are the ABO system and the Rhesus (Rh) system, Within the ABO system, people can be one of four types: O, A, B or AB. Within the Rh system people can either be Rh positive or Rh negative. Each system is inherited independently of the other, therefore there are eight main groups.
Group O is known as the universal blood type as it can be given to patients of any blood group. It is, therefore, the most valued blood type.
