Therapist dispels myths about blood donation

Blood donation does not weaken the immune system in compliance with the norms and does not contribute to the spread of cancer. Svetlana Burnatskaya, internist and occupational therapist at JSC "Medicine" (Academician Roitberg Clinic), told Izvestia about this on February 13.

According to the therapist, the weakening of immunity after blood donation is a myth, since the procedure does not harm health if medical standards are followed. In addition, according to the doctor, the claim that half a liter of red wine and apples are needed for recovery has no scientific basis, since alcohol is even temporarily contraindicated after blood donation.

"Another misconception is that after transfusion, "uncontrolled transformations" occur in the body. In fact, the purpose of transfusion is to restore blood volume and its functions, and any adverse reactions (short—term fever, chills, nausea) are easily stopped with medications," Burnatskaya said.

It is also a mistake to assume that the donor and recipient must have a completely identical blood type. Compatibility is determined not only by group and Rh factor, but also by a variety of additional antigenic markers. Also, one of the common myths is the transmission of cancer through donated blood.

"In fact, cancer is not an infectious disease and is not transmitted through transfusion. Before use, each portion of blood undergoes a multi—stage test for HIV, hepatitis, syphilis and other infections, which virtually eliminates the risks for the recipient," the specialist emphasized.

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Last November, Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova said that the number of donors in Russia had increased by 30% over the past five years. According to her, 80% of donors return for repeated blood donation two or more times a year. She also pointed to the high level of social responsibility and charity of the citizens of the Russian Federation.

According to a DonorSearch study, a typical active donor in Russia is a 38—year-old man, more often with a university degree and more than five years of donation experience, who on average donates blood four to five times a year.

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