Preventing HIV: Canadian Blood Services Travel Assessment

  • Thread starter LadiesMan
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In summary, Canadian Blood Services asks about an individual's travel history before accepting blood donations, as this is a preventive measure against the spread of infectious diseases such as HIV. Tropical areas, particularly in Africa, have a higher risk of these diseases due to factors such as warmer climates and lower levels of economic development, healthcare diversity, and technological advancement. In certain third-world countries, doctors may prescribe medication or advise specific dietary precautions due to the higher risk of disease transmission.
  • #1
LadiesMan
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Canadian Blood Services inquires about a person’s travels before blood donations are accepted. Explain why this practice can be classified as preventive.

Answer:
Inquiring about an individual’s travel is a positive practice to preventing HIV occurrences. When traveling to many tropical areas of the world (i.e. Africa), there is a higher risk of contracting infectious diseases.

But why is there a higher risk?
 
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  • #2
How do tropical areas and places like Canada, US, the EU, differ?
 
  • #3
they are warmer in terms of climate.
 
  • #4
That's a start. How else are they different? Think in terms of how a third world country is different from an industrialised country.
 
  • #5
i guess our economy is higher, more diversity in medicine, more technological advanced. I like how you are doing this Snazzy. I learn better. :)
 
  • #6
That's better. If you've ever been to a third-world country, doctors might give you medication or tell you to do certain things with what you eat or drink. Why is that?
 

FAQ: Preventing HIV: Canadian Blood Services Travel Assessment

What is the Canadian Blood Services Travel Assessment?

The Canadian Blood Services Travel Assessment is a tool used to determine an individual's eligibility to donate blood based on their travel history to countries with a higher risk of HIV transmission.

Why is it important to prevent HIV in blood donations?

HIV is a virus that can be transmitted through blood, and if infected blood is donated, it can potentially infect the recipient. This can lead to serious health consequences and is therefore important to prevent.

What countries are considered high risk for HIV transmission?

The Canadian Blood Services considers countries with a prevalence rate of HIV of 1% or higher to be high risk for HIV transmission. This includes countries in Africa, Asia, and South America.

How does the travel assessment determine eligibility?

The travel assessment asks questions about the individual's travel history within the past year, including the countries visited and activities engaged in. Based on this information, the individual may be temporarily deferred from donating blood.

Can someone still donate blood if they have traveled to a high-risk country?

In most cases, yes. The Canadian Blood Services will assess each individual's travel history and determine their eligibility to donate. If there is a concern about potential exposure to HIV, the individual may be temporarily deferred from donating until the risk has passed.

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