when to not donate blood

When should you not donate blood?

You must be in good health at the time you donate. You cannot donate if you have a cold, flu, sore throat, cold sore, stomach bug or any other infection. If you have recently had a tattoo or body piercing you cannot donate for 6 months from the date of the procedure.

Who shouldnt donate blood?

You should not give blood if you have AIDS or have ever had a positive HIV test, or if you have done something that puts you at risk for becoming infected with HIV. You are at risk for getting infected if you: have used needles to take any drugs, steroids, or anything not prescribed by your doctor in the last 3 months.

What happens if you donate blood with a cold?

If you have a cold or the flu, you can donate blood, as normal, 7 days after you've recovered from your symptoms. If you recently had the flu vaccination and are feeling well, you can still donate blood. Because it's not a 'live' vaccine, flu vaccination does not affect blood donation.Jun 5, 2019

Why would a blood donor be rejected?

There are certain conditions that mean you may never be able to follow the dictates of your community conscience. A history of hepatitis, heart disease, cancer and bleeding disorders, convulsions or AIDS or being in an AIDS risk group will disqualify you.Dec 22, 1988

What are the disadvantages of blood donation?

Here's a closer look at the disadvantages to consider before donating blood.Bruising. When you donate blood, you sit or lie on a reclining chair with your arm extended on an armrest. ... Continued bleeding. ... Dizziness, lightheadedness, and nausea. ... Pain. ... Physical weakness. ... Time-consuming. ... But donating blood can do a lot of good.

Is giving blood good for you?

One blood donation can save up to three lives, according to DeSimone. People usually donate because it feels good to help others, and altruism and volunteering have been linked to positive health outcomes, including a lower risk for depression and greater longevity.Jan 24, 2022

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.

Can you donate blood on your period?

You can safely donate blood during your period if it is required and your period will not be affected by the donation. It may be better to donate the week after periods, but it is still manageable if you are not bleeding heavily, your haemoglobin is more than 11 g/dl and you are not in any discomfort or pain.Jun 14, 2020

Is it normal to feel sick the day after giving blood?

People may feel fatigued or experience some dizziness, lightheadedness, or nausea after donating blood. This is because of the temporary lowering of blood pressure.Jun 15, 2020

What should you not do before giving blood?

Five Things NOT To Do Before Giving BloodDon't eat immediately before donating. ... Don't give blood if you feel sick. ... Don't worry about drinking coffee, tea or any other caffeinated beverages before donating. ... Don't smoke or drink alcoholic beverages before donating. ... Don't stay up too late the night before.Dec 7, 2021

Can I donate blood if I have a tattoo?

Most people can donate blood immediately after getting inked, as long as the tattoo was applied at a state-regulated entity that uses sterile needles and ink that is not reused.Jul 19, 2021

Can I donate blood every month?

Talk with donor center staff about specific requirements. Plasma donors may donate as often as every 28 days. Platelet donors may donate as often as every eight days, and up to 24 times in a 12-month period. Double red cell donors may donate as often as every 168 days.

How old do you have to be to donate blood?

In order to donate blood, you must: Be at least 17 years old. In some states, you can give blood at 16 years-of-age with parental consent.

What are the restrictions on blood donation?

The following are just the most common restrictions for giving blood that need to be enacted. 1. You have the cold, flu, or other acute illnesses that cause fever.

How long does it take for vcjd to show up in cows?

In the 80s and 90s, the UK saw a widespread outbreak of Bovine spongiform encephalopathy in cows. Symptoms from vCJD can take years (sometimes as many as 50) to show.

What is the hemoglobin level of a woman?

In their eligibility requirements list (linked above) The American Red Cross states that: “In order to donate blood, a woman must have a hemoglobin level of at least 12.5 g/dL, and a man must have a hemoglobin level of at least 13.0 g/dL.

How long do you have to wait to donate platelets?

If you wish to donate only platelets, you will need to wait the space of two full days between the last time you took a pill and the day you donate blood. Blood thinners: Since blood thinners affect the ability of your blood to clot, individuals taking certain types of blood thinners will not be allowed to donate.

Why is it important to know about the restrictions on donating blood?

Donating blood is an exceptional way to give back to your community, which is why it’s important to know about basic giving blood restrictions. The list of eligibility restrictions and rules for donating blood is extensive, and rightfully so; it’s important to keep those who receive donated blood safe. However, many of these requirements are very ...

Why is there a weight limit on blood donation?

The weight limit is enforced because the amount of blood in your body is roughly proportional to your weight; the bodies of individuals who weigh less than 110 lbs. may not respond well to the standard amount of blood drawn during donations.

How long do you have to wait to donate blood?

Wait at least 8 weeks between whole blood (standard) donations. Wait at least 7 days between platelet (pheresis) donations . Wait at least 16 weeks between Power Red (automated) donations. First-time male donors may be eligible to donate blood if they have not had sex with another man in more than 3 months.

What is the age limit for blood donation?

There is no upper age limit for blood donation as long as you are well with no restrictions or limitations to your activities. In-Depth Discussion of Age and Blood Donation. Those younger than age 17 are almost always legal minors (not yet of the age of majority) who cannot give consent by themselves to donate blood.

How long after taking aspirin can you donate blood?

Aspirin. Aspirin, no waiting period for donating whole blood. However, you must wait 2 full days after taking aspirin or any medication containing aspirin before donating platelets by apheresis. For example, if you take aspirin products on Monday, the soonest you may donate platelets is Thursday.

How long after angioplasty can you donate?

Wait at least 6 months after bypass surgery or angioplasty. Wait at least 6 months after a change in your heart condition that resulted in a change to your medications. If you have a pacemaker, you may donate as long as your pulse is between 50 and 100 beats per minute and you meet the other heart disease criteria.

What is the minimum hemoglobin level for a woman to donate blood?

Hemoglobin, Hematocrit, Blood Count. In order to donate blood, a woman must have a hemoglobin level of at least 12.5 g/dL, and a man must have a hemoglobin level of at least 13.0 g/dL. For all donors, the hemoglobin level can be no greater than 20 g/dL. Separate requirements for hemoglobin level apply for Power Red.

How long after blood transfusion can you donate?

Blood Transfusion. Wait for 3 months after receiving a blood transfusion from another person in the United States. You may not donate if you received a blood transfusion since 1980 in France, Ireland, England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, Gibraltar or Falkland Islands.

How long after angina can you have heart problems?

Wait at least 6 months following an episode of angina.

How long do you have to wait to donate blood?

If they lived in a malaria-risk country for more than five years, they are asked to wait three years after returning to the U.S. before donating blood.

How often can you donate blood?

Most healthy individuals will have no problem donating blood, and can do it as often as once every eight weeks. However, there are a select few who are not able to donate their blood, and the reasons why may surprise you.

How long does it take to donate blood after skin cancer?

Skin cancers where the cancer has been completely removed do not need a 12 month waiting period. However, individuals who have had blood cancers, such as leukemia and lymphoma, are not eligible to ever donate blood.

How much blood do you need to donate?

Body Size. In order to donate blood you must have at least 3400 mL of blood volume. Blood volume is determined by body weight and height, and individuals with low blood volumes may not tolerate losing so much blood. This means that generally, males must be at least 4’10” tall and weigh at least 111 pounds.

How long after getting a tattoo can you donate blood?

Due to concerns about hepatitis, in Georgia, Idaho, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, Utah, Wyoming, and the District of Columbia donors are asked to wait a year after getting a tattoo and a year after getting a piercing from a “questionable source” before donating blood.

How much weight do you have to be to be a woman?

For women, it's a bit more complicated. Generally, you must weight at least 110 pounds, but women shorter than 5’5” must be heavier in order to meet the weight requirement, Life Share reported. 4'10" = 139 pounds. 4'11" = 135 pounds. 5' = 131 pounds.

Can you donate blood with Coumadin?

Those who have a health condition where their blood doesn't clot normally, or are on anticoagulant medications such as Coumadin (warfarin), should not donate blood as they may have excessive bleeding where the needle was placed. However, according to the ARC they are not automatically disqualified from donating blood.

How long do you have to wait to donate blood after getting a tattoo?

If you get a tattoo done from such places you have to wait for 12 months before donating blood, else you might spread infection (2). Always discuss your situation with a healthcare professional. Also, if gone for certain cosmetic treatments which require piecing with needles you got to wait at least for 4 months.

How long after syphilis can you donate blood?

In some, despite getting the treatment, they need to be re-treated. If wanting to donate blood, you should wait for 12 months after getting fully treated.

How many people can donate blood?

Red blood cell, plasma, and platelets all the components of blood are vital for a lifeline. But, are you aware that only one in thirty people can donate blood.

How long should a drug user wait before giving blood?

Someone in Relationship With A Drug User: If a person has had sex with someone taking drugs he needs to wait for a year before giving blood. Also, he should abstain himself from that partner for that time duration. Donating blood under these conditions can put the life of recipient and sometimes even the donor at risk.

Do you have to wait to donate blood after taking antibiotics?

Such as, if a person is on antibiotics, he has to wait until he feels healthy.

Can you donate blood if you have high iron levels?

Also, those with high iron levels should not donate blood as high blood iron levels increase the risk of heart disease, heart attack, stroke, and certain cancers. Suffering From Cancer: A person cannot donate blood if he is being treated for cancer, or the cancer is spreading or has come back, or is having cancer of blood such as leukemia ...

Can you donate blood with low iron?

Underweight individuals have low blood volumes and would not be able to tolerate the removal of the required volume of blood. Someone With Too High Or Too Low Iron Levels: People with low iron levels i.e. less than 12.5g/dl in women and 13g/dl in men cannot donate blood. (3) Regular donors, therefore, are advised to eat food rich in iron ...

How many lives can you save by donating blood to Denny's?

There is the possibility that you are actually donating blood to a person who gets nursed back to health and goes on to take an assault rifle to a Denny’s. You saving 1 life can also mean you ending 23 lives. This would put you at -22 lives saved.

How old is Little Johnny?

Most folks would imagine their donation goes to Little Johnny, an 8-year-old boy who got hit by a car while crossing the street. He was in critical condition and in dire need of a blood transfusion. Luckily, your donation was there to save his life.

Did Little Johnny get laid off?

Unfortunately, your blood is not always going to go to poor Little Johnny. There is also the man who hit Little Johnny with his car. It turns out this man recently found out he was laid off from a job he had for 33 years at an insurance agency.

How to recover from donating blood?

Try to drink at least four more glasses of water throughout the day and avoid alcoholic beverages. Avoid intense exercise: Skip the weightlifting for today to avoid potentially fainting.

What to do after blood donation?

What to do after donating blood 1 Snack and relax: Take a few minutes after your donation to have a snack. It’s important to give your body a second to adjust and restore your energy before you go about your day. Keep eating those iron-rich foods throughout the day to give your body back the iron you’ve lost during donation. 2 Drink more fluids: Replenishing your body of all the lost fluids is a top priority after donating blood. Try to drink at least four more glasses of water throughout the day and avoid alcoholic beverages. 3 Avoid intense exercise: Skip the weightlifting for today to avoid potentially fainting. Give your body a little time to recover and take a walk instead if you still feel the need to exercise. 4 Keep your bandage on: For the next few hours after donation, keep your bandage on to avoid any unwanted infections. Be sure to clean the area with soap and water. 5 Tell your loved ones!: You deserve to brag a little bit about the good deed you did. Encourage your family and friends to donate blood if they can! The more people that chip in, the more lives that can be saved.

How to help with dizziness after blood donation?

Drink water: A good portion of the blood donated is made up of water, so be sure to drink water before and after donating. Most locations advise drinking about 16 ounces of water beforehand. This will help reduce fatigue and dizziness after donating by keeping your body hydrated and replenished.

How to get blood sugar stable before donation?

Start your day out right with a breakfast that incorporates those iron-rich foods (can’t go wrong with eggs!). Try to eat 2-3 hours before your donation to keep your blood sugar stable.

Why is Complete Care open 24/7?

This usually happens if your blood pressure drops due to dehydration. If this happens to you, Complete Care is open 24/7 and welcomes walk-ins that can typically be seen within a few minutes, not hours.

What to wear before giving blood?

Dress for success: Be sure to wear a shirt with sleeves that can be rolled above the elbow, or just a short-sleeved shirt. This is an often overlooked tip for what to do before giving blood, but it can make the whole process a lot more comfortable and easy for everyone involved.

Does drinking coffee affect blood donation?

While it won’t directly affect the blood being donated , caffeinated beverages like coffee and tea can block the essential iron your blood absorbs. while alcohol can lead to dehydration. Basically, it’s more likely you’ll feel bad after giving blood when consuming these beverages before you donate.