HARTFORD, Conn. -- As concerns about contracting H1N1 spread almost as fast as the virus itself, some have raised the question about whether H1N1 can be transmitted through blood donations.

Some viruses, like HIV, can be transmitted by blood. The Wall Street Journal said some studies found stronger strains of H1N1 can be present in your blood before you experience symptoms.

Officials from Hartford Hospital said if someone donated blood when feeling healthy, like you’re supposed to do; there isn’t a real threat to being infectious for H1N1 or any other type of influenza.

The WSJ reported that nationally, there have been very few tests of blood suppliers for the flu, but a case of someone getting the flu from a blood transfusion has never been reported and Dr. Bradford Sherburne backs that fact up.

Sherburne said, “In 20 years, I have never heard of a case of influenza being transmitted through transfusion and of course we transfuse people who are already very sick, whose immune systems are already depressed.”

One concern Sherburne did have is that H1N1 could affect blood supplies. He’s worried that people sick and out of work, and staying home and taking care of the kids, less people will show up at blood drives. He also said that during the holiday season, they are traditionally in need of more blood.