You don't have to name contacts when testing positive. They ask if you would like them to notify anyone or would you like to notify them yourself. Been there done that.
Interesting discussion. Perhaps it varies by region. In Northern California they do confirmatory western blot testing. If someone tests confirmed positive they will notify the person in an interview, not by mail.
http://chapters.redcross.org/ca/norcal/phys/geninfo_abntests.html
In New York, I dont know whether they will inform by letter, but they do confirmatory tests, and will notify health authorities of any confirmed positive. It says the following on their website:
WE ARE REQUIRED BY NEW YORK STATE LAW TO INFORM THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH OF ALL DONORS WITH A CONFIRMED POSITIVE HIV TEST. ANY HIV POSITIVE DONOR WILL BE ASKED TO COOPERATE IN CONTACT NOTIFICATION ACTIVITIES; INCLUDING NOTIFYING A SPOUSE OR OTHER NAMED CONTACTS.
The Red Cross only notifies the donor and advise them to go to their doctor for further testing. There screening does not give a conclusive test result.
Actually, the red cross will notify you by letter if you test positive for hiv from a blood donation. They will also notify the appropriate governmental health authorities. Of course, it would not have anything to do with white blood cell counts....
http://www.lifesouth.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=65&Itemid=178
uh, the red cross will not send you a letter stating ANYTHING about your HIV status.. Anyone could open up that letter... with HIPPA LAWS, I would think that the red cross or any other medical establishment would get the pants sued off of them for disclosing HIV status in a letter that ANYONE could open up and read. I agree with Lizzie Lou... you better read that letter again..
the red cross would NOT send you a letter saying you were positive for hiv because your white blood cells were high!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! go back and reread that letter.
I believe you are -ve. As what the report had said.
To ally all fear, go for another test to put that to rest.