Emergency blood

[mendeleyev]

There is a little boy in Moscow who needs blood transfusions immediately. He is a type -4 (negative 4) or in the West that would be -AB. I believe that persons of this blood type (AB) are universal recipients and if true the hospital can work with any of the 4 types, but I'm not a medical professional.

If you know of anyone in the Moscow region who is willing to be a donor, PM me or answer here and I'll PM you with a telephone number to call. I'm told that the situation is critical.

Type 1 = O Blood
 Type 2 = A Blood
 Type 3 = B Blood
 Type 4 = AB Blood

Type O are universal donors and can donate to anyone.  Type 4 (AB) are universal recipients.

You may be wondering why a large city like Moscow has a shortage: Russia suffers from chronic shortages due to a lack of donors. There are risks for Russian native donors and recipients as unfortunately, the internal blood supply is suspect with regard to HIV. The Ministry of Health says that the rate of increase for heterosexual transmission of HIV has risen from five to 20 percent in recent years while only 7% of the country are IV drug users, the demographic most commonly known to share needles.

Russia has an infection rate far above the world norm due to blood transfusions, and sadly has the highest HIV rate among children in Europe.) Such reasons have meant that Russians don't often donate blood unless it is for a family member.

If you or someone you know decides to donate, I'm told that it would be done in a professional and sterile medical facility.

[calmissile]

A very worthwile cause Mendy.

I am confused about your statistics.  You indicate that the increase in the rate of HIV infections has increased by 20% but it does not indicate what % of the population is infected.

The other statistic indicates that 7% of the population is IV drug users.  Is this correct?

[mendeleyev]

Thanks Doug.

I did a quick search for this post and the rate of increase had moved from 5 to 20%, the largest group being straight females, non- iv drug users.

Yes, that 7% is just iv drug users. I'm certain that were we to factor in alcohol, or "al-Gah-holl" as my lovely wife says, the numbers would be much higher for those engaging in some form of substance or alcohol abuse.

[calmissile]

Thanks Doug.

I did a quick search for this post and the rate of increase had moved from 5 to 20%, the largest group being straight females, non- iv drug users.

Yes, that 7% is just iv drug users. I'm certain that were we to factor in alcohol, or "al-Gah-holl" as my lovely wife says, the numbers would be much higher for those engaging in some form of substance or alcohol abuse.

I suspect what might be more important to newbies headed for Russia for dating or a wife, would be the % of the single women that are infected with HIV or other STD's.

[alex330]

A very worthwile cause Mendy.

I am confused about your statistics.  You indicate that the increase in the rate of HIV infections has increased by 20% but it does not indicate what % of the population is infected.

Yes, a worthy cause. I hope someone is able to help donate blood for the boy Mendy.


Doug, the HIV rate in the FSU is conservatively estimated around 1%. The actual rate is believed to be much higher due to inaccurate reporting. They say the rates of new infection are similar to Africa's during the initial spike. Another major issue is TB (many of the TB patients are unaware they also have HIV which goes unreported).

http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.622?lang=en
http://www.avert.org/hiv-aids-europe.htm

My wife knows quite a few people who have died from drug resistant TB who were never tested for HIV, in many cases were probably infected with HIV.