Blood donation saves a life. Hence, everyone must donate blood at least once in six months. However, not everyone can donate blood. General eligibility conditions for donating blood say that you must be 17 or older, with 110 pounds or more weight and in good health.
On the other hand, you are not eligible to donate blood if:
- You face high risk of getting AIDS
- You earlier had hepatitis
- You were in the habit of using non-prescribed drugs
People, who have been on certain kinds of prescribed drugs for a particular health problem, may be advised to refrain from donating blood for some time. But this is usually a temporary restriction. Finally, a certified medical expert at the time of donation determines the eligibility of the donor.
Eligibility Guidelines to Donate Blood
Age Limit
You must be 17 years or older to donate blood. However, there is no maximum age limit for blood donation as long as the person is healthy and active.
Hypertension
A person with high blood pressure is allowed to donate blood as long as his systolic is below 180 and diastolic number is below 100. Even if you are taking medications to control blood pressure, you can still give blood.
Body piercing
You are not allowed to give blood if you have genital, belly button, nose or tongue piercing in the past one hour. However, donors who have pierced ears are eligible.
Cold and Flu
You should avoid donating blood if you are suffering from cold and flu that is causing productive cough or fever. Wait until all the symptoms have gone and the antibiotics treatment for throat, lung or sinus infection is complete.
MSM
Men indulging in sex with men are not allowed to give blood. They can, however, donate blood to each other according to the FDA regulation of 1977. It is because; the MSM group is more at the risk for hepatitis B, HIV and other serious infections that can be transmitted via transfusion.
Diabetes
A patient with diabetes can still donate blood irrespective of whether he is taking medications or not as long as his blood sugar level is well under control.
Weight
To become eligible for blood donation, your weight must be above 110 pounds. There is no maximum limit to weight as long as the doctor does not find anything unhealthy in your blood report.
Diet
You should eat a healthy meal four hours prior to donating blood.
Criteria to be Assessed at the Time of Blood Donation Include:
- The certified physician will check your hemoglobin level, pulse, temperature, your risk to HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, medications you have been taking including for cancer before taking your blood for donation.
- Use of intravenous drugs such as for prolonged period without prescription makes you ineligible for blood donation.
- Transplant patients with organ or animal tissue transplantation history are also not allowed to donate blood in certain conditions.
- People who have been overseas recently are checked for different infections before allowing them to give blood to prevent transmission of infections such as malaria or other variants.
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