1. What are the minimum requirements to become a blood donor?
You should be at least 18 years old and less than 60 years, a minimum of 45Kg, and in good health with a minimum hemoglobin level of 12.5.
2. Will donating blood hurt?
You may feel a slight pain in the beginning (at the time of pricking) for a couple of seconds, but there should be no discomfort during the donation.
3. Why are there often blood shortages?
Most blood centers try to maintain an optimum inventory level. Due to unpredictable demands (for rare blood groups like RH negative) from trauma incidents blood supply can drop. During college holidays and during the busy year-end work in industries there can be a shortage of voluntary donors.
4. Can I get AIDS from donating blood?
No. There is no risk of contracting AIDS or any other disease through the donation process. Each collection kit is sterile, pre-packaged and used only once.
5. Do I have enough blood in my body to donate?
Yes. The body contains 5 to 6L of blood. Your whole blood donation is approximately 350ml or 450ml.
6. How much blood is taken?
For a whole blood donation, approximately 350ml is taken if you weigh more than 45kg but less than 55kg. If you weigh more than 55kg, 450ml of blood is collected.
7. How much time does it take for my body to replace the blood that I donated?
Not long at all. The volume of fluids will adjust within a few hours of your donation. The red blood cells will be replaced within a few weeks.
8. How often may I donate?
You may donate whole blood once every 3 months, which allows plenty of time for your red cells to be replenished. Platelet (aphaeresis) donors may donate more frequently -- as often as once every seven days and up to 24 times per year. This is because the body replenishes platelets and plasma more quickly than red cells. Platelets will return to normal levels within about 72 hours of donating. Plasma (the liquid portion of your blood) will return to normal levels within a couple of days. Red blood cells (the oxygen-carrying cells) will take approximately two weeks to reach their normal levels.
9. How long until my blood is used?
Most blood donations are processed and available for use within 48 hours.
10. Does donated blood stay on the shelf indefinitely until it is used?
No. Each unit of whole blood normally is separated into several components.
- Red blood cells may be stored under refrigeration for a maximum of 35 days. Red cells carry oxygen and are used to treat anemia.
- Platelets are important in the control of bleeding and are generally used in patients with dengue fever, leukemia and other forms of cancer. Platelets are stored at room temperature and may be kept for a maximum of 5 days.
- Fresh frozen plasma, used to control bleeding due to low levels of some clotting factors, is kept in a frozen state for usually up to one year.
- Cryoprecipitate AHF, which contains only a few specific clotting factors, is made from fresh frozen plasma and may be stored frozen for up to one year. Granulocytes are sometimes used to fight infections.
11. Are the health history questions necessary every time I donate?
To ensure the safest of the donor and the patent, all donors must be asked all the screening questions at each donation. The Drug controller requires that all blood centers conform to this practice.
12. What is the most common blood type?
The approximate distribution of blood types in our blood banking experience is as follows. Distribution may be different for specific racial and ethnic groups:
- O Rh-positive --- 38 percent
- O Rh-negative --- 2.25 percent
- A Rh-positive --- 21.65 percent
- A Rh-negative --- 1.45 percent
- B Rh-positive --- 28.51 percent
- B Rh-negative --- 1.78percent
- AB Rh-positive --- 6.7 percent
- AB Rh-negative --- 0 .29 percent
13. Is there such thing as artificial blood?
Scientists have yet to find a successful substitute for human blood. This is why blood donors are so vital to the lives of those who are in need of blood.
14. What fees are associated with blood?
While donated blood is free, there are significant costs associated with collecting, testing, preparing components, labeling, storing and shipping blood; recruiting and educating donors; and quality assurance. As a result, processing fees are charged to recover costs. Processing fees for individual blood components vary considerably. Processing fees for one specific component also may vary in different geographic regions. Hospitals charge for any additional testing that may be required, such as the cross match, as well as for the administration of the blood.
15. Is there anything I should do before I donate?
Be sure to eat well at your regular mealtimes and drink plenty of fluids.
16. What does the term “donor deferral” mean?
Individuals disqualified from donating blood are known as "deferred" donors. A prospective donor may be deferred at any point during the collection and testing process. Whether or not a person is deferred temporarily or permanently will depend on the specific reason for disqualification (e.g., a person may be deferred temporarily because of anemia, a condition that is usually reversible).
If a person is to be deferred, his or her name is entered into a list of deferred donors maintained by the blood center, often known as the "deferral registry." If a deferred donor attempts to give blood before the end of the deferral period, the donor might be harming him selves or the patent. Once the reason for the deferral no longer exists and the temporary deferral period has lapsed, the donor may return to blood donation after consulting the doctor.
Those who may be deferred include:
- Anyone who has ever used intravenous drugs (illegal IV drugs)
- Men who have had unsafe sexual contact with other men.
- Anyone who has abnormal bleeding disorders
- Anyone with a positive test for HIV (AIDS virus), Hepatitis B or C, Syphilis.
- Men and women who have engaged in sex for money or drugs
- Anyone who has had hepatitis or close contact with a person with jaundice
- Anyone any disease related to kidney, liver, thyroid, heart
- Anyone who has taken Tegison for psoriasis
- Anyone who has epilepsy
- Anyone who is insulin dependent diabetes
- Anyone who has any of the conditions listed in the donor questionnaire
If your deferral is of a permanent nature, you will be informed. Otherwise, the deferral time depends upon the reason for deferral. Prior to each donation, you will be given a questioner and medical interview. At that time, it will be determined if you are eligible to donate blood on that particular day.
18. If I just received a flu shot, can I donate blood?
Yes. There is no waiting period to donate after receiving a flu shot.
19. If I have a cold or the flu, can I donate blood?
In order to donate, blood centers require that you be in generally good health (symptom-free) and recommend that you are feeling well.
20. Can I still donate if I have high blood pressure?
Yes, if your blood pressure in under control and within the limits set in the donation guidelines.
21. What if I'm taking aspirin or medication prescribed by my doctor?
Aspirin and ibuprofen will not affect a whole blood donation. Aphaeresis platelet donors, however, must not take aspirin or aspirin products 36 hours prior to donation. Many other medications are acceptable. It is recommended that you contact the doctor at the campsite to inquire about any medications you are taking.
22. What if I have anemia?
You cannot give blood if you have anemia. However, this can often be a temporary condition. Your hemoglobin will be tested before you donate to make sure it is at an acceptable level.
23. How can I increase my iron level?
Donors may be deferred from donating due to a low hemoglobin (iron) level. This restriction is for the safety of the donor and ensures that after donation, the donor's hemoglobin level will still be within the normal range for a healthy adult. Since hemoglobin levels can fluctuate daily, a deferral for a low hemoglobin level does not mean a donor is anemic. A donor may help increase his or her hemoglobin levels by eating foods high in iron such as red meat, dark green vegetables and raisins or by taking a multivitamin that contains iron.
24. How long will the actual donation process take?
The actual donation takes about 5-10 minutes. The entire donation process, from registration to post-donation refreshments, takes about half an hour to one hour.
25. What types of tests are performed on donated blood?
After blood is drawn, it is tested for ABO group (blood type) and RH type (positive or negative), as well as for any unexpected red blood cell antibodies that may cause problems for the recipient. Screening tests performed are listed below:
- Hepatitis B surface antigen (HbsAg)
- Malaria
- Hepatitis C virus antibody (anti - HCV)
- HIV-1 and HIV-2 antibody (anti-HIV-1 and anti-HIV-2)
- Serologic test for syphilis
- Nucleic Acid Amplification Testing (NAT)(optional)
Female donors cannot donate blood……
- During pregnancy
- After delivery for one year
- When lactating
- During menstrual period and for 7 days therafter
- If cosumed Alcohol in the previous 24 hours
Most people feel great after giving blood. If you feel any abnormal symptoms, let a staff member at the blood donation center or blood drive know. You should avoid lifting heavy objects or strenuous exercise for the next 24 hours; otherwise you can resume full activity as long as you feel well.
28. Where can I donate blood?
You can donate at any voluntary blood bank they will be very happy to receive your donation or at the blood donation camps happening near your office or house.
29. What can you do if you aren't eligible to donate?
While a given individual may be unable to donate, he or she may be able to recruit a suitable donor. Blood banks are always in need of volunteers to assist at blood draws or to organize mobile blood drives. In addition, monetary donations are always welcome to help ensure that blood banks can continue to provide safe blood to those in need.
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