Blood not needed if you’re gay: The stigma attached to Mumbai blood banks

Both the donor questionnaire and health check-up are administered to every prospective donor

Health | Despite a landmark verdict on Section 377 by the Supreme Court, which decriminalised gay sex in the country, the Maharashtra arm of National Blood Transfusion Council (NBTC) recently issued a newly-updated blood donor screening questionnaire to Mumbai-based blood banks. The new questionnaire, designed on the lines of developed nations, will now mandate the blood collectors to ask the male donors about their sexual behaviour and whether they have multiple partners or engaged in the male-to-male sexual activity. For decades, the ban on homosexuals to donate blood exists in India and those who are at high risk of suffering from prolonged diseases such as cancer, allergies, respiratory ailments and organ failure are also not allowed to donate blood.

For the first time after the apex court judgment, a government-body has chalked out a clear ban on homosexual men and women donating blood. According to blood banks, earlier questionnaires asked donors whether they have any reason to believe that they might have been infected by HIV, hepatitis, malaria or other illness.| Section 377

NBTC’s 2017 revised guidelines, on the selection of blood donors reiterate that transgenders, bisexual men and female sex workers can never donate blood as they have a higher risk of contracting HIV and Hepatitis B and C.

Both the donor questionnaire and health check-up are administered to every prospective donor to enable a quick history taking, physical examination and blood test.

Dr Shobhini Rajan, in charge of blood safety at National Blood Transfusion Council, told The Times of India, “The new questionnaire aims to reinforce pre-donation screening as blood units are subjected to tests only after collection. The donors cannot be at high risk of contracting infections and donate blood.”

Keep Reading…Business Standard OR BS

New class of antibodies may protect against AIDS

A new study has zeroed in on a new defence against HIV-1, the virus that causes AIDS.

The team of researchers at Texas Biomedical Research Institute used an animal model, to show for the first time that an antibody called Immunoglobulin M (IgM) was effective in preventing infection after mucosal AIDS virus exposure.

Scientists first treated the animals with a man-made version of IgM, which is naturally produced by plasma cells located under the epithelium (the surface lining of body cavities). Half an hour later, the same animals were exposed to SHIV (simian-human immunodeficiency virus). Four out of the six animals treated this way were fully protected against the virus. The animals were monitored for 82 days.

“IgM has a high affinity for its antigens and grabs them very quickly and does not let go. Our study reveals for the first time the protective potential of mucosal anti-HIV-1 IgM. IgM has a five-times higher ability to bind to virus particles compared to the standard antibody form called IgG. It basically opens up a new area of research. IgM can do more than it has been given credit,” explained DR. Ruth Ruprecht, a researcher.

ARTICLE SOURCE :- BS

People with HIV infection twice at risk of heart disease

According to a global study, HIV infection doubles the risk of heart disease.

Analysis of global figures reveals that HIV-associated cardiovascular disease has more than tripled in the past 20 years as more people are living longer with the virus.

The greatest impact is in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia Pacific regions, with Swaziland, Botswana and Lesotho particularly affected.

Researchers say the findings will help to target treatments to people facing the greatest risk, helping to maximise resources in countries with limited healthcare funding.

An international team of experts, led by the University of Edinburgh, reviewed studies from 153 countries to determine the rate of heart disease in people living with HIV.

They also calculated the number of years lost as a result of death or ill-health in each country to measure the disease’s global impact – or so-called health burden.

The research, which included studies with almost 800,000 people, found the risk of cardiovascular disease among people living with HIV was double the rate among uninfected people.

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More than two-thirds of the burden of HIV-associated heart disease was found in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia Pacific regions, the study found.

In some parts of the world, HIV ranks alongside better-known risk factors – such as diet and lifestyle – as a major cause of heart disease.

There are more than 35 million people infected with HIV worldwide, a figure that is steadily increasing. Those infected are now more likely to die from chronic diseases, such as cancer or cardiovascular disease, because life-saving medications can keep the virus in check.

The link between HIV and heart disease is poorly understood. Scientists think the virus may cause inflammation of blood vessels, which puts pressure on the cardiovascular system.

The virus is also thought to raise fat levels in the blood and affect the body’s ability to regulate sugar levels, which may also contribute to heart disease.

Dr Anoop Shah, Clinical Lecturer in Cardiology at the University of Edinburgh, said, “This study has important implications when planning cardiovascular preventative policies in low resource countries where the burden of HIV remains high and that of cardiovascular disease is growing.”

The findings have been reported in Circulation.(Article Sporce : BS)

Tattoos and their effect on Health

The most common and widespread risk of tattoos is that of infections and skin allergies.

Tattoos are growing in popularity with each passing day especially amongst the youngsters. Getting a tattoo can be quite an experience and thus more and more people are getting inked each day. Tattoos can be temporary or permanent. The process mostly involves a needle piercing the outermost layer of the skin and creating the design using ink drops. Technology which is used to create tattoos is getting better with the growth in popularity of body art. But still risks in getting a tattoo and erasing the same if required remain. Laser tattoo removal is done by directing high energy pulses to remove the ink. Although the process does not affect or damage surrounding tissues but still issues such as scarring, discoloration of skin, burning sensation, incomplete removal and infections may occur.

Common Health Issues Associated with Tattoos

The most common and widespread risk of tattoos is that of infections and skin allergies. Many a time the ink used for the body art will not suit the skin and cause irritation and other problems. These issues may happen immediately or even after weeks, sometimes things such as exposure to the sun or other factors may trigger infections and allergies. It has been seen that coloured tattoos especially that of red and yellow colours have a higher rate of infections and allergies as many a times metallic stains such as cobalt and cadmium are added to the ink for colouration purpose. Fresh tattoos will have redness and swelling but if the tattoo stays red even after a couple of weeks or gets greenish and oozes puss you have most likely caught an infection. Foul smell, prolonged swelling and tattoo being hot to touch even after days can be other symptoms of infections and allergies. Tattoo related allergies are classified as Type – 4 allergies which are also known as ‘delayed allergies’. Thus it may even take weeks after the tattoo for the allergy to show up.

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