how often can you donate platelets red cross

by Dr. Joan Huels 4 min read

every seven days

How often can you donate platelets?

24 times a yearYou may donate platelets every seven days, up to 24 times a year.

How long do you have to wait between platelet donations?

7 daysYou can donate platelets once in a seven day period and up to 24 times a year. You must wait at least 7 days after donating platelets before donating whole blood. After an automated double red cell collection, you must wait 112 days before donating again.

What blood type is best for donating platelets?

AB positiveThe universal blood type for platelet transfusions is AB positive (AB+). One of the rarest of all blood types, only 3% of the population has this special blood type. Platelets from AB positive donors can be used for any patient in need.Apr 13, 2021

How long do donated platelets last?

5-7 daysPlatelets are best stored at room temperature, and have a shelf life of 5-7 days. Refrigerated red cells can be stored for 42 days, and frozen plasma for up to a year. That's why platelet donations are always needed, every day.

Why can't females donate platelets?

The antibodies could be harmful if transfused into certain patients. The antibodies are present in plasma — and platelet donations contain a high volume of plasma, so our current efforts are directed at screening blood samples from female platelet donors to test for the HLA antibody.

What disqualifies you from donating platelets?

What Conditions Would Make You Ineligible to Be a Donor? You will not be eligible to donate blood or platelets if you: Have tested positive for hepatitis B or hepatitis C, lived with or had sexual contact in the past 12 months with anyone who has hepatitis B or symptomatic hepatitis C.

What's the difference between donating plasma and platelets?

Plasma is collected while undergoing platelet apheresis. It's a similar procedure to platelet donation, though in plasma collection, the red blood cells and platelets are returned to the donor, while the clinic keeps the plasma.Jun 14, 2016

Are plasma and platelets the same thing?

Plasma is the liquid portion of blood; our red and white blood cells and platelets are suspended in plasma as they move throughout our bodies.

How many calories do you burn donating platelets?

No, blood donation won't become a weight loss fad any time soon. However, researchers at the University of California, San Diego have found that you can lose up to 650 calories per pint of blood donated.

Why do they check your elbows when donating plasma?

Because arteries have higher blood pressure than veins, a puncture can lead to bleeding into the arm tissues around the puncture site. The signs of an arterial puncture include a faster blood flow and lighter-than-usual color of blood running through the tubes to the machine collecting your plasma.

How painful is donating platelets?

Does donating platelets hurt? Will it make me feel sleepy? Most people say they only feel a slight pinch of the needle at the start of the donation. Because platelet donors get their oxygen-carrying red cells back, donors report feeling less tired than after giving blood.

Why do lips tingle when donating platelets?

Some feel a slight tingling sensation around the lips and nose during donation. This reaction is caused by the anticoagulant used in the procedure. This can be easily controlled if the donor tells the staff about his or her discomfort.