How often should blood donors be screened for infectious diseases?

Frequent screening of blood donors for infectious diseases is essential for ensuring the safety of the blood supply. The correct answer reflects the standard practice that donors should be screened for infectious diseases at every donation. This protocol helps to identify any potential threats to the recipient's health that may have developed since the donor's last donation. Many infections can occur in a short period, and new infections can manifest even in donors who have previously tested negative. Regular screening ensures that any blood collected is safe and minimizes the risk of transmitting infectious diseases to recipients. This practice underscores the importance of maintaining rigorous safety standards in blood donation and transfusion processes, thereby protecting both donors and recipients.

In contrast, options that suggest less frequent screening, such as yearly or only during the first donation, do not adequately address the need for ongoing monitoring of a donor's health status between donations. This approach could lead to undetected infections being passed on to patients receiving blood transfusions. Thus, the emphasis on screening at every donation aligns with best practices in blood safety.