Blood transmitted infections — the problems of modern blood donation

Treatment with blood has been known to humankind since ancient times, although using this method in a relatively safe manner has been possible for only several dozen years thanks to molecular biology. Blood transfusion enables saving many human beings, in situations where other methods would not be effective. Apart from that, blood preparations are used to treat a wide range of cardiovascular system diseases. Until today, we have not been able to create artificial blood or its components. Therefore every drop of blood is worth its weight in gold, and popularization of voluntary blood donation is extremely important.

The purpose of this work is analysis of available publications to create a coherent source of information about the problematic aspects of safe blood transfusion. Despite the development of technological innovations in biology, we have still not managed to solve all the problems related to blood transfusion safety. Used methods and procedures allow for constant reduction of risks related to storage, processing, distribution and transfusion of blood and its components. In developed countries, the risk of infection by blood transfusion is marginal. Unfortunately, many of the basic tests used in European countries and in North America are for financial reasons not performed in developing countries; hence the risk related to blood transfusions is proportionally higher in these regions and is additionally related to serious endemic pathogenic factors, porównaoccurring normally on the area of a given country. There will be more and more of such factors, due to virus and bacteria mutations, which become resistant to used disinfectants and treatments; they can also adopt a more virulent form. The nature can also surprise us with totally new infecting factors, therefore it is so important to constantly perform research.

Nursing Topics 2014; 22 (2): 228–233