Can you donate blood if you were in Desert Storm?

The Red Cross has lifted a 14-month ban on blood from Desert Storm veterans and will begin accepting their donations this week. The organization restricted military donations in November 1991 after a parasitic infection called Leishmaniasis was found in 28 veterans of the Persian Gulf War.

Why can’t Gulf War veterans give blood?

The ban was imposed on Nov. 12, 1991, as a precaution against the transmission of the disease leishmaniasis. The disease is caused by a parasite common to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and others areas of the Middle East and can be transmitted through the blood.

Who qualifies as a Desert Storm veteran?

More than 650,000 Servicemembers served in Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm from August 2, 1990 to July 31, 1991. For VA benefits eligibility purposes, the Gulf War period is still in effect, meaning that anyone who served on active duty from August 2, 1990 to present is considered a Gulf War Veteran.

What are the symptoms of Gulf War Syndrome?

A prominent condition affecting Gulf War Veterans is a cluster of medically unexplained chronic symptoms that can include fatigue, headaches, joint pain, indigestion, insomnia, dizziness, respiratory disorders, and memory problems.

Can military veterans donate blood?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has lifted a ban that prevented millions of veterans, servicemembers, dependents and civilian personnel stationed in parts of Europe from 1980 to 1996 from donating blood.

How long can mad cow disease be dormant?

Caused by misformed proteins called prions that affect the brain, in both cows and humans the disease can be dormant for a long time before symptoms begin to show. Some studies indicate that it might be possible for symptoms to develop up to 50 years after infection .

Can you give blood if you lived in Europe during mad cow disease?

In 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) lifted a longstanding ban that prevented some 4.4 million Veterans, service members and civilians stationed in certain parts of Europe between 1980 and 1996 from donating blood.

How old is the average Desert Storm veteran?

The average veteran of the initial Gulf War period is nearing 50 years of age. They’re more likely than post-9/11 veterans to own their own homes, and their median annual income is just over $61,000.

How do I get Gulf War Syndrome benefits?

However, to be eligible for benefits for “Gulf War Syndrome,” you must receive a 10 percent disability rating or higher. A rating of 30 percent or higher qualifies you for additional benefits for any dependent living in your home (e.g., spouse, children, dependent parents).

What is the disability rating for Gulf War Syndrome?

Can I give blood mad cow disease?

Persons who have spent long periods of time in countries where “mad cow disease” is found are not eligible to donate. This requirement is related to concerns about variant Creutzfeld Jacob Disease (vCJD).

Can you give blood if you have mad cow?

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) changed some of the eligibility criteria for blood donation in April 2020. Deferral rules with respect to blood exposure, risk of sexually transmitted diseases, variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (mad cow disease) and travel-related disease exposures were modified.

Can you donate blood if you have mad cow disease?

If you have been diagnosed with vCJD, CJD or any other TSE or have a blood relative diagnosed with genetic CJD (e.g., fCJD, GSS, or FFI) you cannot donate. If you received an injection of cadaveric pituitary human growth hormone (hGH) you cannot donate.

Why can’t British give blood?

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has imposed a ban on blood donations from anyone who has spent more than six months in Britain from 1980 to 1997 because of the possible risk of transmitting the human form of bovine spongiform encephalopathy, known as variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD).

How many Desert Storm vets are left?

More than 2.2 million U.S. service members served during the era and an estimated 694,550 deployed to the Gulf. An estimated 1.68 million Veterans from that era are still alive.

What is Gulf War Syndrome?

What happened to Desert Shield and Desert Storm veterans?

One of the biggest problems for Desert Shield and Desert Storm Veterans is respiratory conditions. Veterans who served in Southwest Asia were likely exposed to air quality issues from sand particles and dust in the air. These Veterans could also be facing respiratory problems due to the burn pits and oil well fires.

Did you serve in the Gulf War in Operation Desert Storm?

If you served in the Gulf War in Operation Desert Shield or Operation Desert Storm anytime after August 2, 1990, you may be at risk of certain health conditions. Learn about these conditions and what to do next to take care of your health.

Why did the US get involved in Desert Storm?

On August 2, 1990, Saddam Hussein’s Iraqi army invaded the nation-state of Kuwait. This set off a chain reaction which led to George Bush, Sr. sending over 500,000 American troops to Southwest Asia and the Persian Gulf area for Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm.

How does Gulf War illness affect blood counts?

The researchers tested the volunteers’ blood samples for red, white, and platelet counts, and for more than 60 different proteins. Three types of white blood cells—lymphocytes, monocytes, and neutrophils—were all higher in the Gulf War Illness group. Platelets—small cells that form clots to heal injured blood vessels—were also elevated.