this post was submitted on 16 Apr 2024
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[–] ChonkyOwlbear@lemmy.world 131 points 7 months ago (3 children)

Quick way of finding out if your date has any STIs.

[–] BenVimes@lemmy.ca 47 points 7 months ago (3 children)

At least last time I donated blood in my country (Canada), you could discretely indicate "do not use" by applying a different sticker to the bag. This was done in case someone got peer pressured into donating but didn't want to reveal something private that would have disqualified them otherwise.

[–] emergencyfood@sh.itjust.works 10 points 7 months ago

We (India) don't have that, mainly because blood bags don't grow on trees, but there's a question about sleeping eight hours the previous night that always seemed irrelevant. Now that I think about it, it might have been added for this purpose.

[–] saigot@lemmy.ca 10 points 7 months ago

Yes but they also test the blood and will call you if they have reason to believe you are positive.

[–] FreshLight@sh.itjust.works 5 points 7 months ago

Roughly the same here in Germany

[–] Diplomjodler3@lemmy.world 34 points 7 months ago (3 children)
[–] ryannathans@aussie.zone 33 points 7 months ago (2 children)
[–] ProdigalFrog@slrpnk.net 24 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago) (3 children)
[–] LethalSmack@lemmy.world 26 points 7 months ago (2 children)

Sort of. Still can’t donate if you’re taking prep (hiv preventative) or if you’ve had sex with multiple people.

Need to be off prep for 3 months and not have sex with new or multiple partners.

The no prep part is a tough ask. Especially with how healthcare is

Much better than it was but it still excludes a huge portion of the community

[–] HenriVolney@sh.itjust.works 8 points 7 months ago (1 children)

In my country, men are asked the same questions and no one is allowed to give blood if they changed partners in the last 3 months. I imagine it is the same for women.

[–] LethalSmack@lemmy.world 5 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago) (1 children)

Unfortunately it applies to gay men only. Our straight counterparts can switch up partners as much as they want.

Well, it’d apply to bisexual men who’ve had male partners as well.

I should also point out it doesn’t have to be new partners. Just if you’ve had more than one partner you can’t donate even if it’s an exclusive polygamous relationship.

[–] QTpi@sh.itjust.works 4 points 7 months ago (1 children)

In the US, it is an Individual Donor Assessment and applies to everyone. Everyone gets the same question tree, regardless of sexual orientation. If you have had a new partner in the last 3 months or have multiple partners that doesn't defer you, it sends you to the next tier of question: have you engaged in anal sex. Yes to anal with a new partner or multiple partners is the deferral. If you haven't had a new partner or multiple partners in the last 3 months, you will not be asked about anal sex. Canada went live with their individual donor assessment a year before the US and has noted a slight drop in donations in straight donors because they are now being deferred for high risk activity when they were previously missed.

Prep is listed under a medication deferral. First responders that take prep for protection from workplace exposure are deferred as well.

(I'm a blood banker)

[–] LethalSmack@lemmy.world 1 points 7 months ago

I see what you’re saying but they are specifically worried about anal sex. You’re welcome to switch up partners as much as you want as long as anal sex isn’t involved, which is much more likely and much easier for the heterosexual community.

Same goes with prep. I’m sure that there are circumstances that would have individuals taking it that are not related to their sexual orientation.

I’m just pointing out that despite the major improvement it still excludes gay men quite thoroughly from donating blood.

[–] ProdigalFrog@slrpnk.net 7 points 7 months ago

Ahh, bummer :(

[–] zaphod@sopuli.xyz 11 points 7 months ago (2 children)

Not everyone lives in America.

[–] stinerman@midwest.social 8 points 7 months ago (1 children)

On the internet, everyone is American.

[–] Viking_Hippie@lemmy.world 8 points 7 months ago (2 children)

Possibly an American canine, at that

[–] CooperRedArmyDog@lemmy.ml 2 points 7 months ago (1 children)

I am glad my secret is safe... I am sure no one can figure out my secret.

[–] Viking_Hippie@lemmy.world 2 points 7 months ago

Your secret is that you're on the internet.

[–] wreckedcarzz@lemmy.world 2 points 7 months ago (1 children)

You called? I mean I'm not a dog but I am mostly canine so take it or leave it.

[–] Viking_Hippie@lemmy.world 2 points 7 months ago (1 children)

I don't know.. Are you SURE that my vehicle will be safe with you? 🤔

[–] wreckedcarzz@lemmy.world 2 points 7 months ago

turns around and tapes over my 'Hello, I'm' nametag before turning back "absolutely!"

[–] ProdigalFrog@slrpnk.net 2 points 7 months ago

What's the situation with donating in your area? :)

[–] photonic_sorcerer@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 points 7 months ago (1 children)

Oh, I didn't know the American Red Cross made the rules for everybody in the world! Gee, thanks!

[–] ProdigalFrog@slrpnk.net 6 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago) (1 children)

I was only offering what I knew to be true for my area locally, I didn't want to speak on things I hadn't researched. Looking it up, I guess it seems like it's possible (with varying degrees of waiting period), in a pretty significant chunk of the world, so that's even better than I thought, if still not ideal. ^^

[–] photonic_sorcerer@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 points 7 months ago (1 children)

Sorry, that did come across a little strong.

[–] ProdigalFrog@slrpnk.net 3 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago)

It's all good :)

[–] SnipingNinja@slrpnk.net 3 points 7 months ago

Would probably find that out before you decide on a date

[–] blanketswithsmallpox@lemmy.world -3 points 7 months ago

... Where do you live that rape DNA has been sequenced any time in the most recent 10 years or so? That's so much raping that could be hand before you get from donating blood.

Don't be a fuckface just because you rape. Try to cancel it out by donating blood, we use rapist blood just as well as we use a frat bros.

[–] zaphod@sopuli.xyz 14 points 7 months ago

Not really how this works. Tests take time and they don't test immediately, also they do pool tests, so multiple samples are mixed and tested. So even if they'd find something they couldn't tell you right there, and then again even if they could they would tell you it would be handled so that nobody else could notice.