Anyone who has had babesiosis, a rare and severe tick-borne disease, or the parasitic infection Chagas' disease.

Anyone who, in the past 12 months, has had close contact with - lived with or had sexual contact with - a person who has viral hepatitis.

Anyone who has engaged in sex for money or drugs in the past three months.

Anyone who has had a positive test for HIV.

Anyone who has a congenital coagulation factor deficiency.

Men who have had sexual contact with other men in the past three months.

Anyone who has used injected drugs, steroids or another substance not prescribed by a health care provider in the past three months.

The following are groups that are not eligible to donate blood: It includes questions about behaviors known to carry a higher risk of bloodborne infections - infections that are transmitted through blood.īecause of the risk of bloodborne infections, not everyone can donate blood.

Wear a shirt with sleeves that can be rolled up.īefore you can donate blood, you will be asked to fill out a confidential medical history.

Talk to a member of your health care team before you stop taking any medications in order to donate blood. For example, if you are a platelet donor, you must not take aspirin for two days prior to donating.

Check to see if any medications you are taking or recently took would prevent you from donating.

Drink plenty of water before the donation.

Avoid fatty foods, such as a hamburger, fries or ice cream.

Eat a healthy meal before your donation.

Get plenty of sleep the night before you plan to donate.

Able to pass the physical and health-history assessments.Įligibility requirements differ slightly among different types of blood donation.At least 110 pounds (about 50 kilograms).While there's no legal upper age limit, policies may vary between individual donor centers. Some states allow legal minors to donate with parent permission. At least 16 or 17 years old, depending on the law in your state.To be eligible to donate whole blood, plasma or platelets, you must be: And after two weeks, your body replaces the lost red blood cells. Within a few days of a blood donation, your body replaces the lost fluids. Most healthy adults can donate a pint (about half a liter) safely, without health risks. New, sterile disposable equipment is used for each donor, so there's no risk of getting a bloodborne infection by donating blood. Plasma is commonly given to people in emergency and trauma situations to help stop bleeding.īlood donation is safe. Plasma helps blood clot and contains antibodies that help fight off infections. Plasma donation (plasmapheresis) collects the liquid portion of the blood (plasma). Red blood cells deliver oxygen to your organs and tissues.ĭonated red blood cells are typically given to people with severe blood loss, such as after an injury or accident, and people with anemia (low hemoglobin).

Platelets are the cells that help stop bleeding by clumping and forming plugs in blood vessels (clotting).ĭonated platelets are commonly given to people with clotting problems or cancer and people who will have organ transplants or major surgeries.ĭouble red cell donation allows you to donate a concentrated amount of red blood cells. Platelet donation (plateletpheresis) collects only platelets. The machine then returns the remaining parts of the blood back to you. These blood components include red cells, plasma and platelets. During apheresis, you are hooked up to a machine that collects and separates different parts of your blood.

O negative blood donation