Linked by Blood: Hemophilia and AIDS

Linked by Blood: Hemophilia and AIDS recounts the factors responsible for the widespread infection of people with hemophilia by Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)-contaminated blood and offers a prescription for addressing the challenges of future viral epidemics. The book describes the impact of AIDS on people with hemophilia, their families, and caregivers.

The collection, processing, and distribution of blood in the early years of the HIV epidemic are described, including the failure of regulatory agencies to promulgate effective rules to safeguard the blood supply. The contributions of individuals and organizations that mitigated the epidemic are recognized. Linked by Blood presents recommendations for addressing the myriad medical, social, and economic challenges posed by blood-borne viral infections (AIDS, Ebola, MERS) that periodically sweep through large segments of our population.

Addresses the challenges of future viral epidemicsPromotes understanding of the risks and benefits of blood transfusionDemystifies HIV/AIDS by explaining how the virus causes disease and is detected and treatedCovers the factors that led to contamination of the blood supply and contributed to the AIDS epidemicProvides background information on hemophilia: who is affected, why they bleed, how it is treated, and what complications can occurDiscusses the role of regulatory agencies in protecting the blood supply and ensuring the safety of blood and blood productsFeatures new proposals to enhance blood product safety and regulate the prices of blood, drugs, and devices that are essential for human health

Preface
Introduction
Chapter 1.  The impact of AIDS on hemophilia
Chapter 2.  Blood: vital but potentially dangerous
Chapter 3.  What is hemophilia?
Chapter 4.  The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
Chapter 5.  Blood as a vehicle for the spread of AIDS
Chapter 6.  Hemophilia: an affinity for blood
Chapter 7.  A full-blown epidemic
Chapter 8.  The Institute of Medicine study
Chapter 9.  Factors that enabled the epidemic
Chapter 10. Contributions that mitigated the epidemic
Chapter 11. Hemophilia: past and present
Chapter 12. A prescription for safeguarding blood and controlling treatment costs
Each chapter concludes with a list of Key Points and references.