Originally Posted by izzik
It's a shame that the Red Cross has this outdated rule when donating blood:
HIV, AIDS
You should not give blood if you have AIDS or have ever had a positive HIV test, or if you have done something that puts you at risk for becoming infected with HIV.
You are at risk for getting infected if you:
* have ever used needles to take drugs, steroids, or anything not prescribed by your doctor
* are a male who has had sexual contact with another male, even once, since 1977
* have ever taken money, drugs or other payment for sex since 1977
* have had sexual contact in the past 12 months with anyone described above
I recell last time I gave blood, they were giving people the third degree about which countried they had visited. I think that even the UK was on the "Danger" list!