Blood and blood components are donated by healthy, unpaid volunteers and the risk of an infected unit getting into the UK blood supply is extremely low.
Donors complete a health questionnaire every time they donate and blood donations are tested every time for a range of potential infections. This makes the chance of transmitting any infection extremely low.
Since 1985 all blood donated in the UK has been routinely tested for HIV. Since September 1991 all blood donated in the UK has been routinely tested for Hepatitis C.
You can find out more information on the safety and screening of blood on the Blood Health National Oversight Group website or NHS Blood and Transplant website.
Click here to visit the Blood Health National Oversight Group website (opens in new tab)
Click here to visit the NHS Blood and Transplant website (opens in new tab)
Before 1992 donated organs were not routinely screened for Hepatitis C and there is a very small risk a donated organ from someone with Hepatitis C could spread the infection.