Wait
3 months after returning from a trip to an area where malaria is found
. Wait 3 years after living more than 5 years in a country or countries where malaria is found.
How long do you have to wait to donate blood if you went to Mexico?
Along with Mexico, officials have also issued a warning for countries in Central and South America. They say if you've traveled to any of the affected areas, you should wait
at least four weeks
to donate blood.
How long after visiting India can I give blood?
If you have traveled to India, you must wait
three months
from your return to donate. Note that this deferral period was updated from one year on September 17, 2020, due to an updated FDA guidance.
Why do you have to wait 6 weeks to donate blood?
The body needs the blood and its iron to support the fetus. Donating blood during pregnancy
may increase the risk of complications such as anemia and compromise fetal health
. The Red Cross require a woman to wait at least 6 weeks after giving birth before donating blood.
What countries can you not visit to donate blood?
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
. This requirement is related to concerns about variant CJD, or ‘mad cow' disease.
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.
Can I give blood after visiting the Dominican Republic?
Dominican Republic –
Risk in all areas (including tourist resorts of Puerto Plata and Punta Cana) except no risk in cities of Santo Domingo and Santiago only
. Travel duration greater than 24 hours to areas other than Santo Domingo or Santiago – 1 year deferral after return.
Can you donate blood after visiting South Africa?
The donation deferral begins from the date of return from a malaria risk area or the date when you end your anti-malaria medication treatment.
A visit in those parts of the country where malaria does not occur is followed by a donation deferral of 28 days
.
What excludes you from donating blood?
You must never donate if:
You are HIV positive or receiving treatment for HIV
. You are a hepatitis B carrier. You are a hepatitis C carrier.
Can I give blood if I traveled to Europe?
You may be eligible now
. In 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) lifted a longstanding ban that prevented some 4.4 million Veterans, service members and civilians stationed in certain parts of Europe between 1980 and 1996 from donating blood.
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.”
Can I donate blood if I lived in Europe?
You are not eligible to donate if: From January 1, 1980, through December 31, 1996, you spent (visited or lived) a cumulative time of 3 months or more, in any country in the United Kingdom (UK), Channel Islands.
Do I need to know my blood type to donate blood?
You don't need to know your blood type
.
Donors may be notified of their blood type following their donation when they receive their blood donor card or by creating a profile through the Red Cross Blood Donor App.
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.
Why can't I donate blood if I have high blood pressure?
You may donate blood as long as your blood pressure is below 180 systolic (first number) and below 100 diastolic (second number) at the time of donation.
Medications for high blood pressure do not disqualify you from donating
.
Does giving blood lower your immune system?
Does giving blood lower your immune system?
Giving blood reduces the red blood cells and may lead to a temporary drop in certain immune cells such as circulating serum protein and antibodies
.
What is the most common blood type?
Type O
is routinely in short supply and in high demand by hospitals – both because it is the most common blood type and because type O negative blood is the universal blood type needed for emergency transfusions and for immune deficient infants.
Is it healthy to give blood regularly?
The research is mixed on whether blood donation actually lowers risk of heart disease and heart attack. However,
donating blood regularly may lower iron stores
, according to a 2013 study . This may reduce the risk of heart attack. High body iron stores are believed to increase the risk of heart attack.
Can a girl donate blood?
Any healthy adult, both male and female, can donate blood. Men can donate safely once in every three months while
women can donate every four months
.
Can you eat right before donating blood?
The first and most important rule—never donate blood on an empty stomach. “
Eat a wholesome meal about 2-3 hours before donating to keep your blood sugar stable
,” says Dr Chaturvedi. The timing of the meal is important too. You need to allow the food to be digested properly before the blood is drawn.
Can I drink alcohol the night before donating blood?
Alcoholic beverages lead to dehydration.
Try to avoid drinking alcohol 24 hours before giving blood
. If you do drink alcohol, make sure to compensate by drinking extra water.
Can I donate blood after visiting Mexico?
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that tourists who visit the Mexican state of Quintana Roo, home to many popular vacation spots,
not give blood
.
Can you donate blood if you've been to Afghanistan?
Members of the military deployed to certain countries, including Afghanistan, also are
prohibited from giving blood for three years after they return
. And anyone who receives a smallpox shot will have to wait a month before being able to donate.
Can I donate blood after traveling to Jamaica?
Jamaica –
No deferal
. Roatan, Honduras – Not eligible for 12 months after return. Puerto Rico – No deferral. Large cities and typical tourist areas including Yangtze River cruise – No deferral.
Why can't you donate blood if you've been to Africa?
You may not donate if you received a blood transfusion in certain countries in Africa since 1977. This requirement is related to concerns about
rare strains of HIV that are not consistently detected by all current test methods
.
Can I give blood if I've had malaria?
People diagnosed with malaria
cannot donate blood for 3 years after treatment
, during which time they must have remained free of symptoms of malaria.
Can I donate blood after visiting Thailand?
The donation deferral begins from the date of return from a malaria risk area or the date when you end your anti-malaria medication treatment.
A visit in those parts of the country where malaria does not occur is followed by a donation deferral of 28 days
.
