Preprint A Proposed Mechanism for ME/CFS Invoking Macrophage Fc-gamma-RI and Interferon Gamma, 2025, Edwards, Cambridge and Cliff

[Utsikt]

@Jonathan Edwards, I was wondering what implications your theory has for PwME being blood/organ donors, if any. In the UK, at least, we've been under a donation ban since 2010 because of the XMRV hypothesis, since disproven, and now supposedly because it would be too debilitating for PwME to be donors. But if your theory is correct, would our ME/CFS be transmissible in blood and should we continue under a ban on that basis?

blood.co.uk says you can’t donate if you «feel ill» and that you have to be «generally fit and well».

I think that excludes anyone with ME/CFS.

Who can give blood

Find out more about who is eligible to give blood. You should be able to give blood if you are fit and healthy, weigh over 50kg and are between 17 and 65. Men are able to give blood every 12 weeks and women every 16 weeks.

www.blood.co.uk

 

[Sasha]

blood.co.uk says you can’t donate if you «feel ill» and that you have to be «generally fit and well».

I think that excludes anyone with ME/CFS.

Who can give blood

Find out more about who is eligible to give blood. You should be able to give blood if you are fit and healthy, weigh over 50kg and are between 17 and 65. Men are able to give blood every 12 weeks and women every 16 weeks.

www.blood.co.uk

You're right, that must exclude PwME on that basis. I'm wondering if we pose some sort of special risk to other people, though - not an infection as such, but passing something dodgy to them in our blood. I don't know whether people with autoimmune diseases such as RA or MS can donate blood/organs and I'd be interested to know if so, why, and if not, why not.

 

[forestglip]

I don't know whether people with autoimmune diseases such as RA or MS can donate blood/organs and I'd be interested to know if so, why, and if not, why not.

Multiple Sclerosis

We are very sorry but sadly you are not able to donate blood.

This is either for the safety of yourself in giving blood or for the safety of patients that receive your blood.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

You may donate as long as:

You feel fit and well

You have no associated heart, Lung or Kidney problems [...]

 

[Sasha]

Multiple Sclerosis


Rheumatoid Arthritis

That all seems a bit random and mysterious!

 

[Jonathan Edwards]

But if your theory is correct, would our ME/CFS be transmissible in blood and should we continue under a ban on that basis?

No.

 

[Andy]

blood.co.uk says you can’t donate if you «feel ill» and that you have to be «generally fit and well».

I think that excludes anyone with ME/CFS.

Who can give blood

Find out more about who is eligible to give blood. You should be able to give blood if you are fit and healthy, weigh over 50kg and are between 17 and 65. Men are able to give blood every 12 weeks and women every 16 weeks.

www.blood.co.uk

It also says
"There are other medical conditions that may mean you can't donate.

Visit our health, eligibility and travel section for a full list, or give us a call on 0300 123 2323 to check if you can donate."


If you follow that link and look up CFS then it says,

"CFS : Fatigue
If you have been diagnosed with any of the below conditions unfortunately you will be unable to donate;

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis Syndrome (ME)
Post Viral Fatigue Syndrome
Systemic Exertion Intolerance Disease (SEID)"

 

[Sean]

Not allowed to donate blood here in Australia. Which I agree with as a reasonable precautionary measure.