Donor eligibility rules are intended to protect the health and safety of the donor, as well as the patient who receives the transfusion. On World Blood Donation Day learn the rules of donating blood
To donate blood to another person, the donor must be healthy. Healthy means that you feel well and can perform normal activities.
Donor age should be between 18-55 years.
Donor must weigh at least 45kg to be eligible for blood donation for his/her own safety.
Donor haemoglobin should be above 12.5gm per cent.
Donation interval – Wait at least 3 months between 2 whole blood donations.
The donor should not be fasting, should eat at regular mealtimes and drink plenty of fluids before blood donation.
The donor should have slept well the previous night.
Health conditions in which you cannot donate blood
Donors who are diabetic, suffering from heart disease, liver disease (Hepatitis B/C), kidney disease, cancer, epilepsy, leprosy, endocrine disorders, blood disorders, blood clotting problems and with history of convulsions are permanently deferred.
Persons who are on steroids, hormonal supplement.
Persons who are addicted to drugs or are at high risk for HIV/AIDS.
Persons who have had Hepatitis (B/C).
Other health-care precautions for donors
Wait for 3 years if you have suffered from tuberculosis.
Wait for 1 year if you have suffered from malaria, jaundice.
Wait for 1 year after receiving blood transfusion.
Wait for 6 months if you have suffered from any of the following: Typhoid, measles, mumps, chicken pox,night sweats, diarrhoea, unexplained weight loss, swollen glands, persistent fever.
Wait for 6 months if you have a tattoo, ear piercing or acupuncture carried out.
Wait for 6 months if you have undergone minor surgery. Evaluation of eligibility is on a case-by-case basis.
Wait for 6 months if you underwent dental procedure. Wait until finishing antibiotics for a dental infection.
Wait for 24 hours if you have taken alcoholic beverages.
Skin disease /rash – Wait until infection has cleared before donating blood.
Immunisation /vaccination – There is no wait period if one is symptomfree and fever-free. For certain vaccinations like tetanus, influenza, typhoid, cholera, prophylactic hepatitis B, there is no waiting period if symptom-free.
Infection – If you have a fever or an active infection wait until infection has resolved before donating blood.
High blood pressure – Acceptable as long as your blood pressure is within eligibility limits. Medications for high blood pressure do not disqualify from donating.
Low blood pressure – If your blood pressure normally runs low, drinking water before and after donation is important.
Dr Anand Deshpande, Blood bank consultant
Source : TOI
Donor age should be between 18-55 years.
Donor must weigh at least 45kg to be eligible for blood donation for his/her own safety.
Donor haemoglobin should be above 12.5gm per cent.
Donation interval – Wait at least 3 months between 2 whole blood donations.
The donor should not be fasting, should eat at regular mealtimes and drink plenty of fluids before blood donation.
The donor should have slept well the previous night.
Health conditions in which you cannot donate bloodDonors who are diabetic, suffering from heart disease, liver disease (Hepatitis B/C), kidney disease, cancer, epilepsy, leprosy, endocrine disorders, blood disorders, blood clotting problems and with history of convulsions are permanently deferred.
Persons who are on steroids, hormonal supplement.
Persons who are addicted to drugs or are at high risk for HIV/AIDS.
Persons who have had Hepatitis (B/C).
Other health-care precautions for donors
Wait for 3 years if you have suffered from tuberculosis.
Wait for 1 year if you have suffered from malaria, jaundice.
Wait for 1 year after receiving blood transfusion.
Wait for 6 months if you have suffered from any of the following: Typhoid, measles, mumps, chicken pox,night sweats, diarrhoea, unexplained weight loss, swollen glands, persistent fever.
Wait for 6 months if you have a tattoo, ear piercing or acupuncture carried out.
Wait for 6 months if you have undergone minor surgery. Evaluation of eligibility is on a case-by-case basis.
Wait for 6 months if you underwent dental procedure. Wait until finishing antibiotics for a dental infection.
Wait for 24 hours if you have taken alcoholic beverages.
Skin disease /rash – Wait until infection has cleared before donating blood.
Immunisation /vaccination – There is no wait period if one is symptomfree and fever-free. For certain vaccinations like tetanus, influenza, typhoid, cholera, prophylactic hepatitis B, there is no waiting period if symptom-free.
Infection – If you have a fever or an active infection wait until infection has resolved before donating blood.
High blood pressure – Acceptable as long as your blood pressure is within eligibility limits. Medications for high blood pressure do not disqualify from donating.
Low blood pressure – If your blood pressure normally runs low, drinking water before and after donation is important.
Why are homosexuals banned from blood donation. I know in the 80's it was believed that they were the ones spreading the disease. But we are in 2009. I thought we knew by now that you dont have to be gay to get HIV.
ReplyDeleteIts really disturbing to me. How someone in a monogomous relationship with regular HIV tests, and otherwise healthy is rejected from giving blood based on sexual orientation. Especially at times when the need for blood donors is always rising.
http://www.foxnews.com/printer_friendly_story/0,3566,275058,00.html
Hi Lev.
ReplyDeleteThanks for writing.
Well I agree with your observation.
Its considered to be a stigma to be a Homosexual in most parts of the world. And thus many of the voluntary actions of these community will be always remain suspicious and will always be scrutinized
Hello Dr.
ReplyDeleteMy husband is diabetic.His blood sugar is under control through regular exercise and diet management. I've read somewhere that donating blood helps in maintaining blood viscosity can he donate blood. He is taking oral medication His HbA1c is 6.5-7
Hi There.
ReplyDeleteIts good to know that your husband has taken a active role in management of Diabetes. As far as I know donating blood has no role in blood viscosity management.
His HbA is normal too.
Thanks for writing.