Something New: The Zika Virus and Donating Blood
@DeborahDiane (40848)
Laguna Woods, California
August 3, 2016 6:00pm CST
This morning our church held a blood drive. It does this every three months and I donate every time, as long as I am in town.
Afterwards, I always spend the rest of the day relaxing and drinking plenty of water, in order to recuperate. Today, I also took a nap.
I always feel good about the fact that one blood donation can help several people. I also like the fact that it gives me a guilt-free reason to be lazy for the rest of the day!
One thing was new with today's blood drive. In addition to asking if I was taking certain medications or had traveled to foreign countries, it also asked if I had been to the area around Miami, Florida in the past four weeks.
I never thought there would be a time when visiting a certain part of the U.S. would disqualify me from donating blood. 
18 people like this
14 responses
@LadyDuck (502622)
• Italy
5 Aug 16
@DeborahDiane I remember when I arrived from Santo Domingo at the Miami airport, the mosquitoes had "followed me", there were some hidden in my jeans. This is the way mosquitoes travel and once they arrive in an area that is hot and humid they breed.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40848)
• Laguna Woods, California
6 Aug 16
@LadyDuck - Wow! I have never thought about mosquitoes hiding in our clothing and being transported by us. I'm sure these mosquitoes will quickly be all over the U.S.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40848)
• Laguna Woods, California
5 Aug 16
Yes, there have been 14 confirmed cases of Zika virus in Miami among people who had not traveled out of the country and who had no one in their household who had been out of the country. They believe they are getting it from local mosquitoes in Miami. They will not accept blood now from people in the area or who have been there recently. Scary!
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40848)
• Laguna Woods, California
5 Aug 16
@RubyHawk - This Zika virus situation is almost like one of those TV shows, like "Contagion." It is scary!
1 person likes this
@RubyHawk (99367)
• Atlanta, Georgia
6 Aug 16
@DeborahDiane It's very scary and it sounds like it's making headway.
1 person likes this
@toniganzon (77223)
• Philippines
4 Aug 16
Yeah things do change when a new virus pops up. They need to make sure they won't be spreading the virus to anybody.
I have tried donating blood but I always failed the test to be able to donate.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40848)
• Laguna Woods, California
5 Aug 16
@toniganzon - I am surprised at how many people cannot donate blood. I'm glad that I am still able to, even though I am 67 years old.
@toniganzon (77223)
• Philippines
5 Aug 16
@DeborahDiane could be the activities that young people have!
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40848)
• Laguna Woods, California
6 Aug 16
@toniganzon - Yes, some of the things that keep young people active, such as travel, are also keeping them from being able to donate blood.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40848)
• Laguna Woods, California
5 Aug 16
Yes, the Zika virus has reached Florida. Over the past weekend, 14 people were diagnosed with it who had NOT been out of the US and who did NOT have anyone in their household who had been out of the country. I don't know if there is an upper age limit to donate blood. They have never mentioned it to me and I am 67 years old.
1 person likes this
@jaboUK (64346)
• United Kingdom
5 Aug 16
@DeborahDiane That's chilling about those people having the virus - makes you wonder who's safe?
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40848)
• Laguna Woods, California
6 Aug 16
@jaboUK - I agree that it is very chilling to see the Zika virus being spread in Florida ... especially since I live in Southern California where the climate is not all that different from Florida's climate.
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39503)
• United States
4 Aug 16
i've ne'er been able to give the gift'f my blood sadly, due to health issues. which's sad coz i'm the 'universal type'. 'tis gettin' to be a more scary world by the day, aint 't? jest think, jest a few short months 'go nobody'd heard 'f this zika 'n 'ts skeeters 'n now 'tis reachin' many shores. the long term effects 'f such still uknown. i do hear they're already workin' with a vaccine, so perhaps there's hope?
3 people like this
@crazyhorseladycx (39503)
• United States
5 Aug 16
@DeborahDiane oh, congress! i wishs all could jest be fired 'n new folks put into play! what a joke they've 'come...not a good'un either. shame we cant' 't least doc their pay 'n take their 'perks' 'way, aint 't? ya know, since they behave like spoilt young'uns?
bless his heart, i understand completely. i reckon that's why i donate my hair when possible? 't least i feel i'm helpin' somebody, though not with savin' a life. but hopefully too help with their self-esteem whilst battlin' cancer.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40848)
• Laguna Woods, California
6 Aug 16
@crazyhorseladycx - Yes, Congress drives me crazy, too. I think it is wonderful that you donate your hair when you can. That is such a kind thing to do!
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40848)
• Laguna Woods, California
5 Aug 16
There is hope for a vaccine ... IF Congress gets off its doff and gives them enough money to complete their research and testing. Of course, Congress went on vacation without doing that. My husband cannot give blood either because he has had cancer twice and has other health issues.
1 person likes this
@shshiju (10342)
• Cochin, India
5 Aug 16
@DeborahDiane That is bad. They need confirmation. Other wise it will trouble the good people.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40848)
• Laguna Woods, California
6 Aug 16
@shshiju - Yes, they need to be able to do more research so they understand this Zika virus better.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40848)
• Laguna Woods, California
5 Aug 16
@shshiju - I don't think they know for sure if Zika could be spread through blood donation, but they don't want to take the risk.
1 person likes this
@suziecat7 (3349)
• Asheville, North Carolina
4 Aug 16
It seems to be spreading quickly. I have a feeling the questions will soon cover more territory.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40848)
• Laguna Woods, California
5 Aug 16
@suziecat7 - I agree that Zika seems to be spreading quickly. I hope it doesn't spread to Southern California, but we have the right climate for it. Scary!
@BelleStarr (61463)
• United States
4 Aug 16
I have been disqualified for years because I travel too much to Europe. Mad cow was the reason given.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40848)
• Laguna Woods, California
5 Aug 16
@BelleStarr - Yes, they ask about travel to Europe. We have gone there on several trips, but have not stayed long enough for them to be concerned.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40848)
• Laguna Woods, California
5 Aug 16
@jstory07 - It is shocking to me how many people cannot donate blood. I am happy that I can. It is a very small contribution to make that could help other people.
@Tampa_girl7 (54716)
• United States
5 Aug 16
I can't donate blood because I lived in Germany during a certain time frame.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40848)
• Laguna Woods, California
6 Aug 16
@Tampa_girl7 - I have been stunned by how many people on MyLot (and probably in the U.S.) cannot donate blood because they have done a lot of traveling. We encourage people to travel and then cannot let them donate blood ... which is desperately needed. That could be a serious problem someday!
@DeborahDiane (40848)
• Laguna Woods, California
5 Aug 16
@sol_cee - It doesn't hurt any more than getting a flu shot. You feel the quick prick when they put the needle in. After that, you don't feel a thing. I am usually a little tired for a day, until my blood regenerates. They say it is actually good for us, because our bone marrow produces clean, fresh blood that replaces the old blood that might have grown out-of-balance with too many contaminants like iron or mercury.
@nanette64 (20363)
• Fairfield, Texas
4 Aug 16
I've never believed in blood transfusions @DeborahDiane but nowadays it's even scarier.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40848)
• Laguna Woods, California
5 Aug 16
@nanette64 - My husband has several serious health issues, so I try to help the medical community however I can. Donating my blood is a small contribution. I agree that there are many reasons to be worried about our blood supply right now.
1 person likes this
@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
5 Aug 16
I gave blood once in my life. I'm still not sure why I did it as I hate needles so much and I was a basket case the whole time. I was 18 at the time and I still remember it. I have tried to donate plasma but for some reason I wasn't allowed to do that with all the questions they asked and I had a cold one time but not the next. I always admire people who can give blood. I know how important it is.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40848)
• Laguna Woods, California
6 Aug 16
@just4him - I'm glad you were able to donate blood once and you have tried on other occasions. It is desperately needed, but I understand that not everyone can donate. That is why I think it is important that I do it as long as I can.
1 person likes this
@CaseyRoss9966 (4056)
• United States
4 Aug 16
Good for you for giving blood. I try to give blood every chance I get.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40848)
• Laguna Woods, California
5 Aug 16
@CaseyRoss9966 - Good for you to give blood, too. It appears that there are many people who are not able to give blood and it is such a life saving thing to do!
