Over The Counter & Prescription Drugs / Question
Published: April 20, 2004
Dear TeenHealthFX,
Later this week, I am planning on donating blood to the American Red Cross. I have occasionally sniffed over the counter prescription pills, but haven't at all in the past month. I sometimes smoke cigarettes, and I was wondering if this would show up in my blood? Also, I had sex about 7 months ago, it was protected but it was with someone who had a few sexual partners. I haven't had any signs at all but I was wondering if I might have contracted an STD?
Signed: Sniffed Pills, Donating Blood - Will They Show Up?
Dear Sniffed Pills, Donating Blood - Will They Show Up?,
To answer your question, FX asked Blood Donor Services at Morristown Memorial Hospital what the screening process entails. When someone donates blood, the person is given a questionnaire or survey to fill out and all the blood is tested for Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C, HIV, HTLV 1 and HTLV 2 (another virus), Syphilis and West Nile Virus. If any of those is positive - meaning that you have one, they will notify you as soon as they find out.
As for wondering if you have contracted an STD, it seems unlikely since you practiced safer sex, however, nothing is 100% effective. So, while condoms do provide some protection, if the condom does not cover a herpes sore or lesion or a wart caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) you may be putting yourself at risk. The only way to absolutely protect you 100% against pregnancy and STDs is to not have sex.
The pills and the cigarette's...
Blood Donor Services at Morristown Memorial Hospital said that the cigarettes and sniffed pills would not show up. This said, TeenHealthFX feels we must let you know the health risks of sniffing over the counter pills and smoking cigarettes. You need to stop smoking before your body becomes addicted to the nicotine in the cigarettes. Smoking is not good for you and the more physically dependent your body and mind becomes, the harder it will be to quit. Check out our answer to Does Smoking Stop the Growth Cycle and Should I Quit? for more information about the negative effects of smoking. Also, sniffing any kind of drug or vapor is extremely dangerous and we urge you to stop immediately and PLEASE GET HELP! Not only can you have a bad reaction to the drug that you are using, sniffing any drug can cause deterioration of the nasal septum.
TeenHealthFX recommends that you see a doctor and discuss what is going on in your life. You can be screened for STDs and your doctor can also guide you to finding the help you need to stop smoking and stop sniffing drugs. If you do not have a doctor and live in northern New Jersey, you can call the Adolescent/Young Adult Center For Health in Morristown, New Jersey, at 973.971.6475 for an appointment. You can also log onto the US Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration for resources to help you quit sniffing.
Signed: TeenHealthFX
The motor vehicle death rate for male drivers and passengers ages 16-19 is more than one and half times that of their female counterparts.
