FAQs on Blood Donation

1) Who can Donate Blood?

Any healthy adult, both male and female, can donate blood. Good health of the donor must
be fully ensured. The universally accepted criteria for donor selection are
Age to be between 18-55 years. However, a fit & healthy person of up to 60 years can
also donate blood in case there is an urgent need of their blood group
Minimum weight of 46 kgs
Minimum hemoglobin count of 12.5 gm/dl
Pulse: between 80-100/minute with no irregularities
Blood Pressure: Systolic upto 140 mm Hg and Diastolic 60 to 100 mm Hg
Temperature : Normal (oral temperature not exceeding 37.5 degree C)
The donor should not be under medication or on treatment for diabetes, cardiac
problems or any other medical treatment.
2) What are Benefits of Blood Donation?
The benefits of donating blood are as under:
a.
It stimulates the generation of red blood cells.
b.
In patients, prone to iron overload, it prevents the accumulation of iron.
c.
Anecdotally, elderly people in good health have reported feeling invigorated by
giving blood on a regular basis.
3) Who cannot Donate Blood?
The following categories of people should avoid giving blood:
a.
Pregnant or lactating women or those who have recently had an abortion (within last
6 months).
b.
Persons who are on steroids, hormonal supplements or certain specified medication.
c.
Persons with multiple sexual partners or those who are addicted to drugs.
d.
Persons who have had an attack of infection like jaundice and typhoid (within a period
of 1 year); Malaria (within a period of 3 months if complete treatment taken) & if the
person is a known case of Hepatitis B or C, should never donate.
e.
Persons who have undergone surgery in the previous six months.
f.
Persons who have consumed alcohol in the 24 hours prior to donation.
g.
Women should avoid donation during their menstruating period.
h.
Those who have undergone various vaccinations should avoid donation for the
corresponding period specified below:
Type of Vaccine
The period in which donation should be avoided
Hepatitis B
6 months
Live vaccines
2 weeks
Killed vaccines
48 Hours
Rabies
1 year
i.
Persons with any systemic disease like heart disease, kidney disease, liver problems,
blood disorders or asthma should NOT donate blood.
j.
Persons suffering from infections transmitted through transfusions like HIV, Hepatitis
B and C, and Syphilis etc should not donate blood.

4) Who are permanently disqualified from being Blood Donors?

Please do not give blood if you Have used narcotic drugs by intravenous route (injecting directly in the vein), even
once.
Are suffering from conditions like hemophilia, Thalassaemia or any other blood
disorder.
Had a positive antibody test for HIV (AIDS virus).
Had multiple sexual partners.
Have had cancer.
Have multiple sclerosis.
Ever had myocardial infarction, coronary artery bypass surgery.
Have had a stroke.
Have had Chagas disease.
Have history of hypertension (high blood pressure) with or without medication.
Have diabetes mellitus, chronic liver disease, chronic kidney disease, and
convulsions/epilepsy.
Having endocrine diseases (like thyroid disease).
Are permanently debarred from donating blood.
5) Does Blood Donation cause any harm to a donors health?
NO. Blood donation is 100% safe. The total blood volume in a human body varies from 4 to
5 liters. During blood donation only 350ml of blood is taken from the body. The human
body replenishes the amount of blood taken within 48 to 72 hours and there is no
harmful effect on the body.
6) Will Blood Donation causes any side effects to the donor?
Blood donation does not cause any side effect though a small percentage of first time
donors may feel a little dizzy, but it is largely psychological.
It may be mentioned that it is mandatory for the blood banks to use only sterile
disposable syringe and needle to collect blood, which totally eliminates any chance of
catching an infection.
7) What exactly is the process followed when a donor goes to the site for Blood
Donation?
The Blood Donation process is as under:
a. The donor is asked to fill few details on the donor form.
b. The medical personnel record the donors Medical history.
c. The Blood Bank staff takes a sample of donors blood to ensure that donor is not
anemic.
d. The donors blood pressure is checked.
e. After clearing this simple medical screening process, the donor is escorted to the
blood donation area.
f. The actual blood donation takes about 10 minutes.
g. Post the blood donation, the donor is asked to take a little rest & served refreshments.
8) What is the safe interval between blood 2 donations?
The recommended interval between 2 blood donations is 3 months.
Source: KEM Hospital Blood Bank.