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Blood transfusion in a third world country 20 years ago, possibly HIV?

Hello,
20 years ago when I was still at my native country (a third world country), I have a major surgery where I recieved lots of blood transfusion.
At my home country, both healthcare and economic are not developed as in the U.S
I heard about how blood transfusion can give you HIV, especially if you in a third world countries.

So, I got worried, what are the chances of me contact HIV at that time.
This has been 20 years ago, with a 20 years period of time, if I did get HIV, I already would developed symptoms right?
Now I am in my 30's, my family doctor every year give me a chemistry blood test, just to see how my body function. Those test come out all normal, my red, white blood cell count are all in normal range.
But this is just a regular blood test, NOT HIV test.

So I don't think I'm infected right? It is necessary to request a specific HIV test?

Thank your sir/ma'am for your advice


2 Responses
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Avatar universal
Thank you sir, but is that 1985 blood screening is in the U.S only right? Does it count third word countries in Asia too?

I was born in a third word country before our family refugee to USA.
This blood transfusion I got was back in my native country.

I think I'm OK because it been 20 years since that blood transfusion, I still don't get sick. Well except one time, I got knock down hard with the H1N1 Flu, but my body fight it off without any medicine help.

Let just said if I indeed have HIV without knowing it for 20 years, it is possible for me free of symptoms this long?

I was 10 when I get the blood tranfusion, now I am 30. And I grow up OK, my health is good I think. Don't get sick, except sneezing and toothache.

Should I get HIV test, or should I just continue living my life until I got very sick then check for HIV?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Blood screening started in 85 so you chance was slim to none.
Helpful - 0
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