The Blood and Tissue Center of Central Texas

AIDS/HIV Infection or Exposure Risk Factors

You Should Not Donate Blood If You

1. Have had hepatitis or a positive test for hepatitis at age 11 or older.

2. Have AIDS or one of its symptoms, including unexplained:

Weight loss of 10 pounds or more.
Night sweats or fevers over 100.5° F for more than 10 days.
Swollen lymph nodes in your neck, armpits or groin for over 1 month.
Persistent cough and/or shortness of breath. Persistent diarrhea.
White spots or blemishes in your mouth.
Bluish or purple spots on your skin or mucous membranes (Kaposi’s Sarcoma).

3. Are at risk for infection with HIV. You are at risk if you:

Have taken illegal or non-prescription drugs with a needle, even once.
Have had unprotected sex with someone who is at risk for AIDS/HIV.
Have come into contact with the blood of an infected person (transfusion, accidental needle stick, accidental blood splash on broken skin).
Are a male who has had sex with another male, even once, since 1977. are a male or female who has been given money or drugs in exchange for sex since 1977.
Were born in or lived in certain African countries since 1977, or received a blood transfusion in any of these countries.
Have a bleeding disorder, such as hemophilia, that requires treatment with clotting factor concentrates.

Persons who have participated in these behaviors can be infected without knowing it and can pass the infection through their blood even if they are feeling well and their blood tests are negative.

If you fall into one of the above categories of people who are at risk for or have signs of AIDS/HIV, please do not donate.

If you have any questions or concerns, please call the nurse manager at 206-1108.