Persons suffering from certain conditions or in certain situations should not donate blood. These include:

Cancers or HIV: To avoid risk of transmission, people with HBV, HCV, HIV or syphilis infection should not donate blood. People with leukemia (blood cancer) or other cancers of the blood also cannot donate. Those whose cancers have been successfully treated – where there hasn’t been a relapse for more than 12 months – are eligible to donate.

Heart disease: People with heart disease have to wait for 6 months – after an episode of angina or heart attack or if they have undergone bypass surgery or an angioplasty – before they can donate blood. In case of people fitted with a pacemaker, blood donation is advisable only if their pulse is between 50 and 100 beats per minute.

Infectious diseases: People suffering from infectious diseases should wait for specific period – even after recovery – to ensure that the condition is completely cured. Wait periods in case of the following conditions are:

Diabetes: People with diabetes whose blood sugar is well-controlled with insulin or oral hypoglycemic drugs are eligible to donate.

Blood pressure: People with either high or low blood pressure can donate blood as long as their blood pressure is well-controlled and within the limit allowed for donors.

Minor infections: Those with skin diseases, rash, allergies, cold or cough should also wait to donate blood till the condition has resolved. It is important to wait until any antibiotic treatment that the individual is taking is complete before donating blood.

Epilepsy: Individuals who suffer seizures or epilepsy can donate blood if free of seizures for at least two years and are not at greater risk for adverse reactions if taking regular treatment.

Vaccinations: As long as fever and other symptoms are absent, one can immediately donate blood after a vaccination.

Medical procedures: Those who have undergone blood transfusion or a minor surgery or dental procedure may need to wait for 6 months before donating blood.

Medication: People who are taking antibiotics for any infection should wait for three days after they stop taking them or are symptom free.

Alcohol: It is prudent to wait for 24 hours after consuming alcohol, before donating blood. Alcohol lowers blood pressure, so donating blood too soon after consuming alcohol puts you at risk of fainting.

Self-injection habit: Those in the habit of taking steroids, hormonal supplements or drugs should not donate blood as these practices puts them at risk for various blood borne infections such as HIV.

Are there any specific requirements for women who wish to donate blood?
Women who are pregnant, lactating or have recently had an abortion should not donate blood. It is also better to avoid donating blood during menstruation. This is because it can lead to the risk of anemia for the donor.

Also read: Youngsters more willing to donate blood

Tags: Blood, Donor

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