Are You Really Eligible To Donate Blood? Check Out These Criteria Before Donating.

Blood Donation is one of the noblest donation of all. It is the greatest thing you can do for somebody.

“When you donate money, You can just give food but if you donate blood, you give someone a new life”. It is therefore,we should always be encouraged for the blood donation.

Infact, Blood donation also helps purify your blood to some extent. It is the fact that The average adult has between 10 and 12 pints of blood in their body. Since your bone marrow churns out a constant supply of red cells, plasma, and platelets, the plasma you give is replaced within the first 24 hours.

But, Do you know all of us are not eligible to donate blood even if we are willing to.

There are some conditions under which it is never advised to donate blood.

Having that much said, I would like to list the criteria for blood donation:

General Criteria:

• Be between 16 and 60 years old
• Weigh at least 45 kg
• Have a haemoglobin level of at least 12.5 g/dl
• Generally be in good health
• Not have had any symptoms of infection for at least 1 week e.g. sore throat, cough, runny nose, diarrhea
• Not have had a fever in the last 3 weeks

Donation Interval:

General Health Considerations before Donating Blood:

1) Allergy, Stuffy Nose, Itchy Eyes, Dry Cough

• Acceptable as long as you feel well, have no fever, and have no problems breathing through your mouth.

2) Cold, Flu

• Wait if you have a fever or a productive cough (bringing up phlegm)
• Wait if you do not feel well on the day of donation.
• Wait until you have completed antibiotic treatment for sinus, throat or lung infection.

3) Donation Intervals

• 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.

4) Weight/Height

• You must weigh at least 110 lbs to be eligible for blood donation for your own safety.
• Students who donate at high school drives and donors 18 years of age or younger must also meet additional height and weight requirements for whole blood donation (applies to girls shorter than 5'6" and boys shorter than 5').

Blood volume is determined by body weight and height. Individuals with low blood volumes may not tolerate the removal of the required volume of blood given with whole blood donation. There is no upper weight limit as long as your weight is not higher than the weight limit of the donor bed/lounge you are using. You can discuss any upper weight limitations of beds and lounges with your local health historian.

When You should not Donate?

You should not consider donating blood if you are suffering from any of the following conditions:

• Allergies
• Asthama
• Bleeding Conditions
• Blood Pressure (High or Low)
• Cancer
• Chronic Illness
• Diabetis
• Heart Disease
• Heart Murmur, Heart Valve Disorder
• Hemochromatosis (Hereditary)
• Hemoglobin, Hematocrit, Blood Count
• Hepatitis, Jaundice
• Hepatitis Exposure
• HIV, AIDS
• Hypertension, High Blood Pressure
• Infections
• Malaria
• Sexually Transmitted Disease
• Tuberculosis

You should also not donate blood under the following conditions:

1) Intravenous Drug Use

Those who have ever used IV drugs that were not prescribed by a physician are not eligible to donate. This requirement is related to concerns about hepatitis and HIV. Learn more about hepatitis and blood donation.

2) Piercing (ears, body), Electrolysis

Acceptable as long as the instruments used were single-use equipment. Wait 12 months if a piercing was performed using a reusable gun or any reusable instrument.

Wait 12 months if there is any question whether or not the instruments used were single-use equipment.. This requirement is related to concerns about hepatitis. Learn more about hepatitis and blood donation.

3) Pregnancy, Nursing

Persons who are pregnant are not eligible to donate. Wait 6 weeks after giving birth.

4) Tattoo

Wait 12 months after a tattoo if the tattoo was applied in a state that does not regulate tattoo facilities

5) Zika Virus

If you have been diagnosed with Zika virus infection, wait more than 120 days after your symptoms resolve to donate.

6) Ebola Virus

You are not eligible to donate if you have ever had Ebola virus infection or disease.

So,These were the eligibility criteria or blood donation. Never consider donating blood under some above listed conditions.

Let me know about your thoughts on the above list and let me know if we have missed any point.

Happy Reading!