Dear everyone,
I'm a medical journalist and was asked to write an article on bood-safety
(not only AIDS). I came to know that there is a test which can tell if
the blood-donor is virus-infected. Unforunately I forgot the name of this
test (Nostatin??? I remember only the letters NO..) All I know is the
following:
The tests examines a certain substance which is produced by the immune system
after a virus infection (e.g., Hepatitis but also HIV). In Austria, it
was considered to introduce for every blood donation, bu it was feared that
too many blood donations would be "positive" even if there is only a more
or less harmless infection.
I would like to know:
1. The exact name of the test (this is particularly important)
2. If possible, more facts on this test (what is this substance tested;
how reliable is the test; is there a country which applies this test...)
Any answer will be very much appreciated.
Thank you very much in advance
Juliane Meyerhoff
Hannover, Germany
nhchpelt at rrzn-user.uni-hannover.de
