who can donate blood in usa

According to the American Red Cross, you can donate blood under the following circumstances:

• You are not feeling sick and are in good health.
• You are 17 years of age. In some states, you can donate blood if you are 16 years old and have parental consent.
• You weigh at least 110 lbs.
• You have not donated blood in the past 56 days.

Full Answer

What are the reasons why a person cannot donate blood?

Mar 10, 2022 · You can donate blood up to 6 times a year. General Eligibility Requirements. Donor eligibility varies by location. Ask about specific requirements, but generally blood donors should: Be 17 years of age or older, however some 16-year-old people can donate blood with parental consent, Weigh at least 110 pounds, Be in good health and not taking antibiotics,

Who is not allowed to donate blood?

Jan 14, 2022 · According to the American Red Cross, you can donate blood under the following circumstances: You are not feeling sick and are in good health. You are 17 years of age. In some states, you can donate blood if you are 16 years old and have parental consent. You weigh at least 110 lbs. You have not donated blood in the past 56 days.

What conditions disqualify you from donating blood?

You must be at least 17 years old to donate to the general blood supply, or 16 years old with parental/guardian consent, if allowed by state law. 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.

Why is 50 kg the minimum weight to donate blood?

Mar 07, 2022 · (Each state determines its own age of majority, which can be different for different activities.) Persons under the age of 17 may, however, donate blood for their own use, in advance of scheduled surgery or in situations where their blood has special medical value for a particular patient such as a family member.

Who Cannot donate blood?

HIV infection, AIDS or Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) High risk occupation (e.g. prostitution) Unexplained weight loss of more than 5 kg over 6 months. Chronic alcoholism.

Who gives blood in the US?

The Red Cross provides about 40% of our nation's blood and blood components, all from generous volunteer donors. But supply can't always meet demand because only about 3% of age-eligible people donate blood yearly. Each new donor helps us meet patient needs.

Who can donate blood for everyone?

Age: You must be at least 17 years old to donate to the general blood supply. There is no upper age limit for blood donation as long as you are well with no restrictions or limitations to your activities.

When can you donate blood in USA?

least 16 years oldTo donate blood or platelets, you must be in good general health, weigh at least 110 pounds, and be at least 16 years old. Parental consent is required for blood donation by 16 year olds; 16 year olds are NOT eligible to donate platelets. No parental consent is required for those who are at least 17 years old.

Which type of blood donation is most needed?

A+ is a common blood type which makes it the most needed blood for transfusions, so you may be asked to donate whole blood. Whole blood donors are eligible to give blood every 8 weeks. Platelets are another way to maximize your donation as an A+ blood type.

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 family members donate blood to each other?

Directed donation (for a family member or friend) The donor must meet the same requirements as for regular blood donation, and the donor's blood must match the blood type of the recipient.Apr 7, 2017

What is the minimum weight for blood donation?

Who can give blood? Anyone between 18 and 65 years of age and in normal health having a body weight of 45 kg or more and a haemoglobin content no less than 12.5 gms/hundred ml can be a donor.

What are the 8 benefits of donating blood?

The health benefits of donating blood are mentioned below.Prevents Hemochromatosis. Health benefits of blood donation include reduced risk of hemochromatosis. ... Anti-cancer Benefits. Blood donation helps in lowering the risk of cancer. ... Maintains Healthy Heart & Liver. ... Weight loss. ... Stimulates Blood Cell Production.Jan 2, 2018

Do you get paid for donating blood?

In practice, nobody really pays for blood, said Mario Macis, an economist at the Johns Hopkins Carey Business School who has studied incentives for blood donation. “Even though it's legal, it's still considered not totally moral or ethical to pay cash to blood donors.”Jan 22, 2016

How quickly is donated blood used?

Blood has a shelf life of 35 days and platelets can only be used for up to seven days, while fresh frozen plasma can be kept for up to three years. Careful management of hospital stocks and rapid, frequent delivery systems are essential for maximising the use of blood.

Who can donate blood?

According to the American Red Cross, you can donate blood under the following circumstances:

Who cannot donate blood?

There are certain health conditions, life circumstances, and travel experiences that mean you cannot donate blood. We’ll run through those here.

What medications will prevent you from donating blood?

Most over-the-counter (OTC) medications will not prevent you from donating blood. If you take prescription medications, check out this list from the American Red Cross to see if you can still donate blood.

Can you donate blood if you received the COVID-19 vaccine?

In short, yes. If you took the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine (mRNA based) or Johnson and Johnson’s COVID shot (inactivated virus), you can donate blood. If you received another kind of COVID vaccine, or were vaccinated outside of the U.S., ask the donor site if you still qualify.

What is Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease and why does it matter for blood donors?

Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (vCJD) is an infectious brain disease that can pass from animals to humans. The equivalent illness in cows is called “Mad Cow Disease.” vCJD can rarely be passed through blood transfusions.

How do I prepare to donate blood?

First, go online and find a drive. You will enter your location, and a list of donation locations will appear. You will be able to choose a time slot, and make an appointment to donate blood online.

What happens after blood donation?

Your blood donation will be taken to a laboratory and will be tested for several things — the first is blood type. The different blood types are: A, B, AB, and O. All blood types are eligible for blood donation.

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.

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 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.

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 angina can you have heart problems?

Wait at least 6 months following an episode of angina.

What is hepatitis blood donation?

In-Depth Discussion of Hepatitis and Blood Donation. "Hepatitis" means inflammation of the liver. Hepatitis can be caused by many things including gallstones, medications, drinking alcohol, obesity and liver infections.

What is the blood pressure of the heart?

Blood pressure is the pressure of blood being pushed by your heart against the walls of your arteries. Arteries carry blood from your heart to other parts of your body. Your blood pressure normally rises and falls throughout the day based on your activities.

What is the number of systolic blood pressure?

Your blood pressure reading contains two numbers, for example 130/80. The first number, called systolic blood pressure, measures the pressure in your arteries when your heart beats. The second number, called diastolic blood pressure, measures the pressure in your arteries when your heart rests between beats.

What is the name of the disease that cattle get from blood donation?

In-Depth Discussion of Variant Creutzfeld-Jakob Disease and Blood Donation. In some parts of the world, cattle can get an infectious, fatal brain disease called Mad Cow Disease. In these same locations, humans have started to get a new disease called variant Creutzfeld-Jakob Disease (vCJD) which is also a fatal brain disease.

Can you donate blood after a dura mater?

If you have had a dura mater transplant, you should not donate blood until more is known about CJD and the risk to the blood supply. If you have been diagnosed with vCJD, CJD or any other TSE or have a blood relative diagnosed with genetic CJD (e.g., fCJD, GSS, or FFI) you cannot donate.

Can CJD be transmitted through blood transfusion?

Rarely, CJD is associated with an hereditary predisposition; that is, it occurs in biologic or “blood” relatives (persons in the same genetic family). There is evidence that CJD can be transmitted from donors to patients through blood transfusions. There is no test for CJD that could be used to screen blood donors.

Is CJD a disease?

CJD is a rare, progressive and fatal brain disorder that occurs in all parts of the world and has been known about for decades. CJD is different from variant CJD, the new disease in humans thought to be associated with Mad Cow disease in the United Kingdom and elsewhere. CJD appears to be an infectious disease.

What is a DHQ?

The DHQ is provided to donors when they present to donate at a OneBlood donor center or at a Big Red Bus blood drive. Depending on the answers provided on the DHQ, there may be circumstances that can cause a person to be deferred.

What is the FDA blood center?

The blood center is heavily regulated and mandated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). As such, each donor must meet certain eligibility requirements in order to donate blood. If a donor does not meet one or more of the eligibility requirements they would be deferred from donating blood that day.

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

People who received a tattoo at a non-regulated facility must wait 12-months before they can donate blood. People who received any type of body piercing done with single use equipment are now eligible to donate blood once the area has healed. All other types of piercings require a 12-month wait before donating blood.

How long is a military service deferred?

Deferred for 5 years of cumulative time in Europe other than in France or Ireland. Deferred for military service in Europe outside of France, Ireland or UK (i.e., England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, the Isle of Man, the Channel Islands, Gibraltar, or the Falkland Islands)

Why do blood centers ask about prior pregnancies?

Because of a medical condition known TRALI (transfusion-related acute lung injury), blood centers may question women about prior pregnancies. The question is intended to protect the recipient of the donated blood, since pregnancy may cause women to develop antibodies that could harm a recipient patient.

Do nurses drink water before or after donating blood?

Women who are nursing are encouraged to drink plenty of water both before and after donating blood. Because of a medical condition known TRALI (transfusion-related acute lung injury), blood centers may question women about prior pregnancies.

Do you have to contact donor advocacy?

First time donors do not have to contact Donor Advocacy. Please note, all donors are required to answer a series of questions on the FDA’s Donor History Questionnaire (DHQ) before donating. Depending on the answers, there may be other circumstances that can cause a person to be deferred.

What percentage of the population is eligible to donate blood?

These eligibility criteria apply to all U.S. blood collection organizations. Only an estimated 38 percent of the U.S. population is eligible to donate blood at any given time.

How to contact MSM for blood donation?

If an individual was previously deferred from donating blood due to MSM, that person will need to call the Donor and Client Support Center at 1-866-236-3276 to confirm eligibility before coming to donate. Additional eligibility questions may also be answered through the Donor and Client Support Center.

What is the Red Cross's pre-donation health history screening?

During the pre-donation health history screening, the Red Cross uses a questionnaire that is developed by the blood industry’s professional organization, A ABB, and approved by the FDA to assess an individual’s health history. Health history questions are based on past and current behavior risks (for example: travel, ...

Does the Red Cross require a donor to be male or female?

The FDA revised guidance states, “In the context of the donor history questionnaire, FDA recommends that male or female gender be taken to be self-identified and self-reported.”. The FDA requires the Red Cross to have donors select either male or female. Individuals do not need to tell staff that they are intersex.

Does the Red Cross ask for transgender questions?

The Red Cross will no longer ask donors to answer both male and female questions when attempting to donate. There is no deferral associated with being transgender, and eligibility will be based upon the criteria associated with the gender the donor has reported. See additional blood donation eligibility criteria.

Can you defer blood donation for transgender women?

There is no deferral for a woman who has had sex with another woman, and the individual may be eligible to donate blood. The Red Cross encourages individuals to learn more about blood donation eligibility. Transgender Donors. The FDA revised guidance states, “In the context of the donor history questionnaire, FDA recommends ...

Is blood donation based on sexual orientation?

The American Red Cross believes blood donation eligibility should not be determined by methods that are based upon sexual orientation. We are committed to working with partners toward achieving this goal. We understand that there is a difference between biological sex and gender.

What is trusted source?

Trusted Source. of passing bloodborne infections to the recipient or causing other potential complications due to incompatible blood types. Previously, MSM would face deferral for 12 months and could only donate after a year of abstinence.

How long is the deferral period for blood donation?

Some experts recommend that the deferral period should instead be 2 weeks and that blood donation criteria should undergo further revision to treat all people equally. Rather than a discriminatory blanket ban on certain individuals, they say that blood centers could evaluate donors based on “concrete risky behaviors.”.

How long do you have to abstain from sex to donate blood?

They would have to abstain from sex for 12 months to be eligible for donation. However, challenges to blood supply and campaigns to alter eligibility have resulted in changes to the donation criteria. At present, the deferral period for MSM in the United States is now 3 months. Donating blood is vital to public health as it is a safe, quick, ...

How old do you have to be to donate blood?

Blood donation rules and criteria. According to general blood donation criteria, donors must: be at least 16 years of age. weigh at least 110 pounds. not have mild illnesses, such as a cold or the flu. not have unmedicated diabetes, anemia, or hypertension (high blood pressure)

When was the last time blood donation guidelines were reviewed?

Last medically reviewed on March 29, 2021. Public Health.

What questions do you need to answer before donating blood?

Typically, the questions in the DHQ will ask a person about their health, recent travel, medications, and potential risk of infections.

What is a 3 month deferral?

The 3-month deferral is an attempt to reduce the risk of passing on infections. If a person acquires an infection in this window, current screening methods and other tests may not be able to detect the infection. For example, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Trusted Source.

Why doesn't the US have the same history of CJD?

Because there aren't many people in Europe that haven't lived in Europe between 1980 and the present. If they European Red Cross refused to take blood from them, then they wouldn't have much of a blood supply. The US doesn't have the same history of CJD, and doesn't want to take unnecessary risks that might introduce it.

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