American Red Cross

For the safety of blood recipients, each unit of donated blood goes through at least nine of the following tests to help ensure patient safety.

HIV-1, HIV-2 - Test for antibodies to HIV-1 and HIV-2 (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)
HBc - Test for antibody produced during and after infection with HBV (Hepatitis B)
HCV - Test for antibody to HCV (Hepatitis C)
HTLV-I and HTLV-II - Test for antibodies to HTLV-I and HTLV-II (Human T-cell Lymphotropic Virus)
HBsAg (Hepatitis B Surface Antigen — Screens for HBV)
ABO/Rh - Test for blood type
PKTP (Syphilis) - Test for syphilis
Red Cell Antibody - Test to determine the presence of atypical antibodies
CMV - Test for cytomegalovirus (This is an optional test.)
NAT (Nucleic Acid Testing) - NAT is a technology that can detect the genetic material of Hepatitis C virus, HIV and West Nile Virus faster and more accurately than other tests, which react to antibodies of those viruses. All of the blood collected by the American Red Cross for transfusion is now subjected to NAT for Hepatitis C, HIV and West Nile Virus.