AIDS Tests Again Urged for Transfusion Patients

The Hospital Council of Southern California and the Los Angeles County Medical Assn. on Thursday reiterated earlier recommendations that people who received blood transfusions between 1978 and June, 1985, have their blood tested for AIDS antibodies.

At a news conference, the two organizations announced “The AIDS Notification Campaign,” designed to increase early diagnosis of human immunodeficiency virus infection, the cause of AIDS.

“With the recent findings that early diagnosis and AZT therapy can prolong the life of HIV-infected patients, we feel that everyone who received transfusions during that time should now be tested,” David Langness, vice president of the hospital council, said in a prepared statement. “This is especially important for children, who could see major advancement in the treatment of AIDS in their lifetime.”