Organ Donations
By lauriefnp
@lauriefnp (5109)
United States
December 14, 2006 10:17pm CST
If you were going to die within 1 year without an organ transplant (for example a liver or kidney) and the only available matching organ was from an HIV positive donor, what would you do?
This is hypothetical, of course; at this time an HIV+ person is not able to donate any organs, blood, or tissues for ethical reasons.
4 people like this
13 responses
@lauriefnp (5109)
• United States
28 Jan 07
I go back and forth on this issue, but I think it does boil down to what you've said. Life is precious, and most of us would do whatever we needed to do to have more time with our loved ones.
1 person likes this
@crazynurse (7482)
• United States
21 Jan 07
Wow Laurie, what a thought-provoking question. Although I can't be certain unless actually faced with a quesiton like this, I think I know what I would do! Life to me is so precious, I would probably take the organ. Even if I became HIV positive, I would hopefully gain more time to watch my children's lives unfold, see grandchildren and the like.
1 person likes this
@lauriefnp (5109)
• United States
26 Jan 07
I think that you're the only one who has actually thought that way (besides myself) without much wavering! The problem with organ transplants is that the recipients are sick in a different way afterwards, fighting off rejection and infection every day. For me, having HIV in the early stages of the disease would not be that big of a deal under these circumstances.
1 person likes this
@rmuxagirl (7548)
• United States
10 Jan 07
I would rather die no matter what. Because then I would be able to go home to heaven and be with family and friends who has passed away before I did. I don't want to live life suffering from anything.
1 person likes this
@lauriefnp (5109)
• United States
11 Jan 07
Thanks for responding, and I respect your answer. I agree that if it were going to just prolong suffering and agony it would not be a wise choice. But what if it gave you 10 more quality years to live and be with your family?
1 person likes this
@micheller (1365)
• United States
9 Jan 07
I think that I would just die right then and there because no matter what way you go you will die. And I wouldn't want to suffer even more from HIV.
1 person likes this
@lauriefnp (5109)
• United States
11 Jan 07
I understand what you are saying. But on the one hand, without the organ donation, you will die mierably within a year. On the other hand, if you receive the organ and become infected with HIV, you will not necessarily suffer from the HIV, since HIV is a very treatable disease these days. Of course you have to consider that the transplant itself changes your life in such a huge way. It's just a thought-provoking question...
1 person likes this
@margieanneart (26423)
• United States
20 Jan 07
If I found myself in that situation, I can only assume what I would do. One never knows until they are really faced with that situation. I would not accept the HIV positve donor. I would just live my year out and be ready when the good Lord wanted to take me home.
1 person likes this
@lauriefnp (5109)
• United States
21 Jan 07
You're right, we never know until we're faced with it. I just wanted to put the idea out there, more for an HIV awareness message than anything. I think that the organ transplantation would be difficult enough to deal with, and HIV on top of it would be a lot of pills and medical care, for sure. I wonder if it would be worth it...
1 person likes this
@OOHCUTE2340 (761)
• United States
10 Jan 07
I wouldn't have the transplant, because in my opinion that would just further jeopardize the donors health condition. I hope I would be grateful for the time allotted to me and that I would live each moment to its fullest potential. It think too, that even if it was guaranteed that the donor would not be gravely effected by the donating, I would still refuse, I would rather it go to a younger person who has their whole life before them, me I've live a pretty good one and soooo much longer then I ever dreamed I would -- so I think I would just move on....:)
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45941)
• United States
19 Mar 07
I think that it would be like jumping from the frying pan into the fire. Yes, your life would be extended, but why risk another disease in the process. Many people live longer lives with HIV, but still there are many who do not.
@KrisNY (7590)
• United States
29 Mar 07
I am pretty sure I would take my chances by waiting for another donor. I wouldn't want to go through the agony of being HIV +-- they have it hard enough-- I can't imagine going through the ordeal of having the replacement and then getting Aids. I'm pretty sure I'd take my chances and wait.
@liranlgo (5752)
• Israel
14 Apr 07
A very difficult question but after thinking about it, my answer is: YES. i would go for it. people with HIV virus, can live with it now days for years, and i would like that.
i would have to check first, what is this person count, and if the medication that i will take as an HIV positive patient would go with my transplant medication. but yes, i will try it. i do not know if this is smart, but this is my honest answer. if i would be given a choice to live longer, i would do it.
@reeze_828 (137)
• Philippines
19 Mar 07
I wont accept the organ! I'll choose to die with my own illness rather than having a new one..LOL
