what's it called when you donate blood to yourself

by Sheldon Olson PhD 3 min read

Donating your own blood for later use is called autologous donation. Autologous donation is most often done in the weeks before you have a scheduled surgery that will likely require blood transfusion. Your own blood can then be used during or after the operation to replace any blood you may have lost.

When blood transfusions are anticipated (such as during surgery), you may be able to donate your own blood in the weeks preceding your surgery, if your doctor approves. This is called an autologous donation.

Full Answer

When can I Donate my Own Blood?

When blood transfusions are anticipated (such as during surgery), you may be able to donate your own blood in the weeks preceding your surgery, if your doctor approves. This is called an autologous donation. Generally, a patient’s own blood is the safest blood to transfuse because disease transmission and allergic reactions are eliminated.

What is the process of donating blood?

Feb 01, 2010 · This is called "autologous" blood donation. It's done in the weeks before non-emergency surgery. The blood is stored until the operation. Autologous donation is most often employed in surgery on...

Can you donate more than one type of blood?

Sep 24, 2019 · How you can now ‘donate’ blood to yourself. by Amref Health Africa September 24, 2019. September 24, 2019. Patients with internal bleeding now have a chance of survival. Doctors can now use your blood to save your life. Patients with internal bleeding have a chance of survival after doctors launched a scientific device that enables a team ...

What is autologous blood donation?

Autologous (aw-tawl’-o-gus) blood donation is a procedure in which you give blood for later transfusion to yourself. Directed blood donation is a procedure in which a friend or family member donates blood specifically for a patient, with a doctor’s orders. Therapeutic blood donation is a procedure for individuals with a medical condition requiring phlebotomy. Conditions like …

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Can a person donate blood for themselves?

Yes you can. This is called "autologous" blood donation. It's done in the weeks before non-emergency surgery. The blood is stored until the operation.Feb 1, 2010

What are the three types of blood donations?

Types of Blood DonationsWhole Blood Donation. Whole blood is the most flexible type of donation. ... Power Red Donation. During a Power Red donation, you give a concentrated dose of red cells, the part of your blood used every day for those needing transfusions as part of their care. ... Platelet Donation. ... Plasma Donation.

What is it called when you receive your own blood via transfusion?

If you are having surgery that is scheduled several weeks in advance, you may be able to plan for an autologous blood transfusion. This is a transfusion in which you receive your own blood which was drawn before your surgery. There are several benefits to receiving your own blood.

What is homologous blood?

Homologous blood is blood or blood components, from another human donor, taken and stored for later transfusion as required.

What is the rarest blood type?

type ABIn the U.S., the blood type AB, Rh negative is considered the rarest, while O positive is most common.May 18, 2020

Can plasma go to any blood type?

AB is the only universal plasma and can be given to patients of any blood type. This means that type AB plasma transfusions can be given immediately, without losing precious time determining if the patient's blood type is compatible.

What apheresis means?

Listen to pronunciation. (a-feh-REE-sis) A procedure in which blood is collected, part of the blood such as platelets or white blood cells is taken out, and the rest of the blood is returned to the donor. Also called pheresis.

What is apheresis plasma?

In this condition, a buildup of abnormal antibodies (proteins) in the plasma interferes with the communication between nerves and muscles. Using a type of apheresis called plasmapheresis, plasma is separated and removed from the patient's blood and replaced with a protein solution of 5 percent human albumin.

What is allogeneic blood donation?

[Say “al-oh-jin-A-ic”] Literally, “being genetically different although belonging to or obtained from the same species.” In blood banking, allogeneic transfusion is when a donor and a recipient are not the same person (in contrast to autologous transfusion, where donor and recipient are the same person).

What is a hemolytic reaction?

A hemolytic transfusion reaction is a serious complication that can occur after a blood transfusion. The reaction occurs when the red blood cells that were given during the transfusion are destroyed by the person's immune system. When red blood cells are destroyed, the process is called hemolysis.Jan 19, 2021

What is a heterologous transplant?

In stem cell biology, a heterologous transplant refers to cells from a mixed population of donor cells. This is in contrast to an autologous transplant where the cells are derived from the same individual or an allogenic transplant where the donor cells are HLA matched to the recipient.

What is postoperative blood salvage?

Postoperative autotransfusion of shed blood from chest tubes or surgical drains enables additional blood conservation, reducing allogeneic transfusions by as much as 50%.

How much does a blood donor weigh?

In general, donors must weigh at least 110 pounds. Most blood banks have no upper age limit. Donors are screened for AIDS, hepatitis, other diseases, and other possible problems. Adult males have about 12 pints of blood in their circulation and adult females have about nine pints.

What is the whole blood?

Typically, each donated unit of blood, referred to as whole blood, is separated into multiple components, such as red blood cells, plasma, platelets, and antihemophilic factor, for transfusion to individuals with different needs. With an aging population and advances in medical treatments requiring blood transfusions, ...

How many red blood cells are needed in a day?

With an aging population and advances in medical treatments requiring blood transfusions, the demand for blood is increasing. On any given day, an average of 38,000 units of red blood cells are needed.

Who is Fred Cicetti?

Fred Cicetti is a contributing writer for Live Science who specializes in health. He has been writing professionally since 1963. Before he began freelancing, he was a reporter, rewriteman and columnist for three daily newspapers in New Jersey: The Newark News, Newark Star-Ledger and Morristown Record.

Can you donate blood before surgery?

Yes you can. This is called "autologous" blood donation. It's done in the weeks before non-emer gency surgery. The blood is stored until the operation. Autologous donation is most often employed in surgery on bones, blood vessels, the urinary tract, and the heart, when the likelihood of transfusion is high. This form of blood donation is good ...

Should I donate my own blood before an operation?

Jonathan Cluett, MD, is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with subspecialty training in sports medicine and arthroscopic surgery.

Surgery With High Blood Loss

Blood loss is a common part of surgery, and while every effort is made to minimize the loss, in certain surgeries it cannot be avoided.

Risks of Disease Transmission

Historically, some people have chosen PAD to avoid the transmission of bloodborne diseases. This was especially true in the early- to mid-1980s, when reports came out saying people had been infected with HIV from blood transfusions. 4 

Safety

PAD is generally considered safe, with only mild, short-term side effects, including minor bleeding, pain, bruising, fatigue, and lightheadedness.

A Word From Verywell

Although receiving your own blood may put your mind at ease, preoperative autologous donations are really only considered if there's a local blood shortage and/or your anticipated blood needs after surgery are high.

What is direct blood donation?

Directed blood donation is a procedure in which a friend or family member donates blood specifically for a patient, with a doctor’s orders. Therapeutic blood donation is a procedure for individuals with a medical condition requiring phlebotomy.

How long does it take to donate blood?

You can help as many as three different patients with just one donation. The entire whole blood donation process takes about an hour. Blood cannot be manufactured.

What is the process of apheresis?

The process, called apheresis (A-fur-EE-sis), involves the use of a medical device to harvest a super dose of packed red blood cells. Your platelets and plasma are returned during the procedure, along with saline solution.

What is a apharesis?

Apheresis (A-fur-EE-sis) is a special kind of donation that allows a donor to give specific blood components, such as plasma or platelets. Apheresis donations are available only at CBCO fixed site donor centers.

How long do platelets stay in blood?

Platelets then activate substances in plasma which form a clot and allow the wound to heal. After someone donates platelets, they may only be stored for five days.

How long does it take for a platelet to be replaced?

Only a small percentage of your platelets or plasma are collected, and your body will replace them within 48 hours. The donation equipment-needle, tubing and collection bags-is sterile and discarded after each donation, making it virtually impossible to contract a disease from the process.

Is apheresis better than whole blood?

The procedure uses a smaller needle than a whole blood donation, so you might find it more comfortable. Many donors report feeling better after an apheresis donation compared to a whole blood donation, because they receive a small amount of sterile saline fluid to make up for the blood volume loss.

How long can you donate blood before surgery?

There is no age limitation for autologous donation. Unless otherwise directed by a physician, you may safely donate blood every four to seven days and up to three business days before your surgery as long as you meet the donation guidelines. You cannot donate within 72 hours of your surgery.

What is autologous donation?

Autologous donations are donations that individuals give for their own use – for example, before a surgery. Requirements for an Autologous Donation. Autologous donations require a doctor’s prescription. You must call 1-800-RED-CROSS to schedule an appointment in advance and request an Autologous Donation form to be signed by your physician.

What is directed donation?

A directed donation occurs when a patient's family and friends donate blood for his or her upcoming procedure. A patient must give consent and have his/her physician submit a written request for the Red Cross to collect blood from the selected donors.

How old do you have to be to donate blood?

Some states allow 16-year-olds to donate with parental consent, but most require blood givers to be at least 17. You also have to weigh a minimum of 110 pounds and be in good general health. (If you have a cold, flu, or fever, you will be turned away.) Being a world traveler could also be an issue.

How many people donate blood each year?

The American Red Cross estimates that less than 38 percent of the United States population is eligible to donate blood at any given moment—but less than 10 percent of those people do. Each year, roughly 6.8 million donors give 13.6 million units of blood.

What happens if you test positive for HIV?

Your vials undergo a dozen tests designed to both establish blood type and to weed out donations laced with infectious diseases, such as HIV, hepatitis B and C, and syphilis. If your sample tests positive for something, your donation will be trashed, but on the upside they'll reach out and let you know about your diagnosis and offer counseling with a trained professional.

How many pints of blood are collected for the Red Cross?

When you needle up for the American Red Cross, they collect roughly one pint of blood and several test tubes—all of which are stored in iced coolers until they can be transported to an official Red Cross center. From there, the samples are spun in centrifuges to separate the red cells, platelets, and plasma, and the tubes are sent out for testing at one of three national labs.

What percentage of the population is O positive?

O positive is the most common blood type in America—belonging to about 38 percent of the population —and thus, the most likely to be needed for a transfusion. (Type A positive ranks second at 34 percent of the population.)

How long do platelets stay in the body?

Platelets are separated from your red blood cells after you donate and can only be stored up to five days.

Can you donate blood to yourself?

Yes, but it takes some legwork. You can do what's called an autologous donation—where you donate blood to be used on yourself during a surgery or planned medical procedure—but you'll need a prescription from your doctor.

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Surgery with High Blood Loss

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Blood loss is a common part of surgery, and while every effort is made to minimize the loss, in certain surgeries it cannot be avoided. When blood loss is anticipated to be greater than 20%, PAD may be recommended. This not only ensures an ample blood supply if you need it but also alleviates stress on the community blood sup…
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Other Medical Reasons

  • Anticipated blood loss is only one of the reasons that PAD is used. If you have a rare blood type, you may face situations in which the local supply just isn't adequate for your needs, making PAD an attractive option.2 PAD also may be a good idea if you have an autoimmune disease. If you receive someone else's donated blood, your immune system may attack and destroy the blo…
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Risks of Disease Transmission

  • Historically, some people have chosen PAD to avoid the transmission of bloodborne diseases. This was especially true in the early- to mid-1980s, when reports came out saying people had been infected with HIV from blood transfusions.4 Many hepatitis C infections were also acquired from blood transfusions performed before the viral cause was officially identified in 19…
See more on verywellhealth.com

Safety

  • PAD is generally considered safe, with only mild, short-term side effects, including minor bleeding, pain, bruising, fatigue, and lightheadedness. Still, PAD is typically avoided in people with certain pre-existing medical conditions because the loss of blood before surgery may have serious consequences. These conditions include: 1. A recent heart attack or stroke 2. Pregnancy1 3. Ser…
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A Word from Verywell

  • Although receiving your own blood may put your mind at ease, preoperative autologous donations are really only considered if there's a local blood shortage and/or your anticipated blood needs after surgery are high. If you have concerns about the risks of blood transfusion or are curious about the benefits of PAD, bring it up with your surgeon.
See more on verywellhealth.com