Family Life

11.10.09 | FL News Team

H1N1 is causing a significant problem for blood donation centers. "The Wall Street Journal" reports blood centers are coming up short in their collections in part because many would-be donors are ill with the flu virus. Some blood drives are canceled at high schools and corporate offices due to higher than usual levels of absenteeism. Even when blood banks do receive donations, they're forced to dispose of some of them when donors call a day or two after giving blood to report they've developed flu-like symptoms.

 There may also be fears that the disease can be spread through blood donations. While that isn't true, there are some concerns over whether H1N1 can be transmitted through tainted blood. Normally, colds and flu aren't transmitted via blood but an official with the Centers for Disease Control says "when you get into strains that are pandemic, the rules don't necessarily apply."

 The holidays are always problematic for blood banks, with people being distracted by family gatherings and shopping. This year, blood centers are working with hospitals to put certain plans into operation, including allocating blood only to the sickest of patients.