Guidelines for Blood Donation - Daly Felicitus

The National UN Volunteers-India
Blood donation compaign

Who can donate the blood - World Health Organisation (WHO)

(Compiled by: Daly Felicitus, Psychologist, Mahima College of Nursing, Ballari, Karnataka)

❄️ GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR BLOOD DONATION
 
Be in good general health and feeling well.
Maintaining your iron level is an important part of being a healthy donor. We encourage you to learn more about iron and donating blood
Be at least 17 years old in most states (16 years old with parental consent in some states).
Weigh at least 110 lbs. Additional height and weight requirements apply for donors 18 years old and younger and all high school student donors.

Have not donated blood in the last 56 days, you can find a blood drive

❄️ ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

▪️ACUPUNCTURE

Donors who have undergone acupuncture treatments are acceptable.

▪️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.

▪️ANTIBIOTICS

A donor with an acute infection can not donate. The reason for antibiotic use must be evaluated to determine if the donor has a bacterial infection that could be transmissible by blood.

Acceptable after finishing oral antibiotics for an infection (bacterial or viral). Can have taken last pill on the date of donation. Antibiotic by injection for an infection acceptable 10 days after last injection.

Acceptable if you are taking antibiotics to prevent an infection for the following reasons: acne, chronic prostatitis, peptic ulcer disease, periodontal disease, pre-dental work, rosacea, ulcerative colitis, after a splenectomy or valvular heart disease.

If you have a temperature above 99.5 F, you cannot donate.

▪️ASPIRIN

Aspirin, no waiting period for donating whole blood. However, you must wait 2 full days after taking aspirin or any medication containing aspirin before donating platelets by apheresis. For example, if you take aspirin products on Monday, the soonest you can donate platelets is Thursday.

▪️ASTHMA

Acceptable as long as you do not have any limitations on daily activities and are not having difficulty breathing at the time of donation and you otherwise feel well. Medications for asthma do not disqualify you from donating.

▪️BIRTH CONTROL

Individuals on oral contraceptives or using other forms of birth control are eligible to donate.

▪️BLEEDING CONDITION.

If you have a history of bleeding problems, you will be asked additional questions. If your blood does not clot normally, you cannot donate since you may have excessive bleeding where the needle was placed.

For the same reason, do not donate if you are taking any "blood thinner" such as:
• Atrixa (fondaparinux)
• Coumadin (warfarin)
• Eliquis (apixaban)
• Fragmin (dalteparin)
• Heparin
• Jantoven (warfarin)
• Lovenox (enoxaparin)
• Pradaxa (dabigatran)
• Savaysa (edoxaban)
• Warfilone (warfarin)
• Xarelto (rivaroxaban).

If you are on aspirin, it is OK to donate whole blood. However, you must be off of aspirin for at least 2 full days in order to donate platelets by apheresis.

For example, if you take aspirin products on Monday, the soonest you can donate platelets is Thursday. Donors with clotting disorder from Factor V who are not on anticoagulants are eligible to donate; however, all others must be evaluated by the health historian at the collection center.

▪️BLOOD PRESSURE, HIGH

Acceptable as long as your blood pressure is below 180 systolic (first number) and below 100 diastolic (second number) at the time of donation. Medications for high blood pressure do not disqualify you from donating.

▪️BLOOD PRESSURE, LOW

Acceptable as long as you feel well when you come to donate, and your blood pressure is at least 90/50 (systolic/diastolic).

▪️BLOOD TRANSFUSION

Wait for 3 months after receiving a blood transfusion from another person.

▪️CANCER

Eligibility depends on the type of cancer and treatment history. If you had leukemia or lymphoma, including Hodgkin’s Disease and other cancers of the blood, you are not eligible to donate.

Other types of cancer are acceptable if the cancer has been treated successfully and it has been more than 12 months since treatment was completed and there has been no cancer recurrence in this time.

Lower risk in-situ cancers including squamous or basal cell cancers of the skin that have been completely removed and healed do not require a 12-month waiting period.

Precancerous conditions of the uterine cervix do not disqualify you from donation if the abnormality has been treated successfully.

▪️CHRONIC ILLNESSES

Most chronic illnesses are acceptable as long as you feel well, the condition is under control, and you meet all other eligibility requirements.

▪️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.

▪️CREUTZFELDT-JAKOB DISEASE (CJD)

If you ever received a dura mater (brain covering) transplant you are not eligible to donate.

If you received an injection of cadaveric pituitary human growth hormone (hGH) you cannot donate.

If you have been diagnosed with vCJD, CJD or any other TSE or have a blood relative diagnosed with genetic CJD (e.g., fCJD, GSS, or FFI) you cannot donate.
 
▪️DENTAL PROCEDURES AND ORAL SURGERY

Acceptable after dental procedures as long as there is no infection present. Wait until finishing antibiotics for a dental infection. Wait for 3 days after having oral surgery.

▪️DIABETES

Diabetics who are well controlled on insulin or oral medications are eligible to donate.

▪️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.

▪️MEN WHO HAVE HAD SEX WITH MEN (MSM)

Sexually active gay and bisexual men are restricted from giving blood.

▪️EBOLA VIRUS

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

▪️HEART DISEASE

In general, acceptable as long as you have been medically evaluated and treated, have no current (within the last 6 months) heart related symptoms such as chest pain and have no limitations or restrictions on your normal daily activities.

• Wait at least 6 months following an episode of angina.
• Wait at least 6 months following a heart • attack.
• Wait at least 6 months after bypass surgery or angioplasty.
• Wait at least 6 months after a change in your heart condition that resulted in a change to your medications.

If you have a pacemaker, you can donate as long as your pulse is between 50 and 100 beats per minute and you meet the other heart disease criteria.

▪️HEART MURMUR, HEART VALVE DISORDER

Acceptable if you have a heart murmur as long as you have been medically evaluated and treated and have not had symptoms in the last 6 months and have no restrictions on your normal daily activities.

▪️HEMOCHROMATOSIS (HEREDITARY)

Acceptable if you meet all eligibility criteria and donation intervals.

▪️HEMOGLOBIN, HEMATOCRIT, BLOOD COUNT

In order to donate blood, a woman must have a hemoglobin level of at least 12.5 g/dL, and a man must have a hemoglobin level of at least 13.0 g/dL. For all donors, the hemoglobin level can be no greater than 20 g/dL. Separate requirements for hemoglobin level apply for Power Red.

Physical exam results vary throughout the day.  Stress, nutrition, illness, hydration, weight, activity, environment and even consumption of certain ingredients (for example, salt or caffeine) can affect the results of the physical exam.  If your result does not meet the minimum/maximum requirement at the time of your attempted donation you will not be permitted to donate. 

▪️HEPATITIS, JAUNDICE

If you have signs or symptoms of hepatitis (inflammation of the liver) caused by a virus, or unexplained jaundice (yellow discoloration of the skin), you are not eligible to donate blood.
If you ever tested positive for hepatitis B or hepatitis C, at any age, you are not eligible to donate, even if you were never sick or jaundiced from the infection.

▪️HEPATITIS EXPOSURE

If you live with or have had sexual contact with a person who has hepatitis, you must wait 3 months after the last contact.

Persons who have been detained or incarcerated in a facility (juvenile detention, lockup, jail, or prison) for 72 hours or more consecutively (3 days) are deferred for 12 months from the date of last occurrence. This includes work release programs and weekend incarceration. These persons are at higher risk for exposure to infectious diseases. Wait 3 months after receiving a blood transfusion (unless it was your own "autologous" blood), non-sterile needle stick or exposure to someone else's blood.  

▪️HIDRADENITIS SUPPURATIVA

You are not eligible to donate if you have ever had Hidradenitis suppurativa.

▪️HIV, AIDS

Do not give blood if you have AIDS or have ever had a positive test for HIV infection, or if you have done something that puts you at risk for becoming infected with HIV.

You are at risk for getting infected if in the past 3 months you:
• Have used needles to inject drugs, steroids, or anything not prescribed by your doctor 
• Have had sexual contact with a new partner and Have had anal sex. A “new” sexual partner is defined as having sex with someone for the first time OR having had sex with someone in a relationship that ended in the past, and having sex again with that person in the last 3 months.
• Have had sexual contact with more than one partner and have had anal sex
• Have received money, drugs or other payment for sex
• Have had sexual contact with anyone who has ever had a positive test for HIV infection
• Have had sexual contact with anyone who, has received money, drugs, or other payment for sex, or used needles to inject drugs, steroids, or anything not prescribed by their doctor
 
Do not give blood if you have any of the following conditions that can be signs or symptoms of HIV infection:

• Fever
• Enlarged lymph glands
• Sore throat
• Rash

Do not give blood if you have ever taken any medication to treat HIV infection also known as antiretroviral therapy (ART).

Wait 3 months after the last dose of any oral medications taken to prevent HIV infection [also known as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) - Truvada  (emtricitabine and Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate), Descovy (emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide), Tivicay (dolutegravir) and Isentress (raltegravir) are oral medications given for exposure to HIV.

Wait 2 years after the last injection or shot of medication taken to prevent HIV infection also known as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP)- Apretude (cabotegravir ) are injections or shots given for exposure to HIV.

▪️HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY (HRT)

Women on hormone replacement therapy for menopausal symptoms and prevention of osteoporosis are eligible to donate.

▪️HYPERTENSION, HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

See "Blood Pressure, High" section above.

▪️IMMUNIZATION, VACCINATION.

Acceptable if you were vaccinated for influenza, RSV,  pneumonia, tetanus or meningitis, providing you are symptom-free and fever-free.

• Includes the Tdap vaccine. Acceptable if you received an HPV Vaccine (example, Gardasil).
• Acceptable if you were vaccinated with SHINGRIX (shingles vaccine) providing you are symptom-free and fever-free. SHINGRIX vaccine is administered in 2 doses (shots). The second shot is administered 2-6 months after the first shot. This distinguishes it from Zostavax, the live shingles vaccine, which is given as a single dose (shot) and requires a 4-week deferral.

Wait 4 weeks after immunizations for German Measles (Rubella), MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella), Chicken Pox and Zostavax, the live shingles vaccine.

Wait 2 weeks after immunizations for Red Measles (Rubeola), Mumps, Polio (by mouth), and Yellow Fever vaccine.

Wait 21 days after immunization for hepatitis B as long as you are not given the immunization for exposure to hepatitis B.
 
▪️COVID-19 VACCINE AND COVID-19 BOOSTER SHOT

Acceptable if you were vaccinated with a non-replicating, inactivated, or RNA-based COVID-19 vaccine manufactured by AstraZeneca, Janssen/J&J, Moderna, Novavax, or Pfizer providing you are symptom-free and fever-free.

Wait 2 weeks if you were vaccinated with a live attenuated COVID-19 vaccine.

Wait 2 weeks if you were vaccinated with a COVID-19 vaccine but do not know if it was a non-replicating, inactivated, RNA based vaccine or a live attenuated vaccine.

▪️SMALLPOX/ MONKEYPOX VACCINE 

There are two types of Smallpox/Monkeypox vaccines so you must know the name of the vaccine to determine if you may be eligible to donate. If you do not know the name of the vaccine you received, you must wait 8 weeks to donate as a precaution.

• ACAM2000 vaccine: This is an older vaccine which is administered in a single dose by inoculation (pricking the skin surface several times with a needle).  If you receive the ACAM2000 smallpox/monkeypox vaccine, which is a live virus vaccine containing infectious agents then the following apply:
Smallpox/Monkeypox vaccination and did not develop complications Wait 8 weeks (56 days) after receiving the vaccination to donate blood as long as you have no complications. Complications can include skin reactions beyond the vaccination site or general illness related to the vaccination. 

• Smallpox/Monkeypox vaccination and developed complications:

Wait 14 days after all vaccine complications have resolved or 8 weeks (56 days) from the date of having had the smallpox vaccination whichever is the longer period of time. Discuss your particular situation with the health historian at the time of donation. Complications can include skin reactions beyond the vaccination site or general illness related to the vaccination. 

• Jynneos vaccine: This is a new vaccine that is administered in 2 doses (shots) given 4 weeks apart.  If you receive the newer smallpox/monkeypox vaccine called Jynneos, which is a non replicating live virus vaccine, which does not contain infectious agents, your eligibility to donate blood is determined based on exposure to Monkeypox.

If you received this vaccine after an exposure to Monkeypox, you cannot donate for 21 days after your last exposure.

If there is no exposure to monkeypox and you received this vaccine, there is no deferral. 
Smallpox vaccination – close contact with someone who has had the smallpox vaccine in the last eight weeks and you did not develop any skin lesions or other symptoms. Eligible to donate.

• Smallpox vaccination – close contact with someone who has had the vaccine in the last eight weeks and you have since developed skin lesions or symptoms. Wait 8 weeks (56 days) from the date of the first skin lesion or sore. Discuss your particular situation with the health historian at the time of donation. Complications can include skin reactions or general illness related to the exposure.

▪️INFECTIONS

If you have a fever or an active infection, wait until the infection has resolved completely before donating blood.

Wait until finished taking oral antibiotics for an infection (bacterial or viral). Wait 10 days after the last antibiotic injection for an infection.
Those who have had infections with Chagas Disease or Leishmaniasis are not eligible to donate.

▪️INSULIN

Donors with diabetes who take any kind of insulin are eligible to donate as long as their diabetes is well controlled.

▪️INTRAVENOUS DRUG USE

Wait 3 months after using needles to inject drugs that were not prescribed by a physician. This requirement is related to concerns about hepatitis and HIV

▪️MALARIA

Malaria is transmitted by mosquito bite in certain countries and may be transmitted to patients through blood transfusion.

If you have traveled or lived in a malaria-risk country, a waiting period is required before you can donate blood.

Wait 3 years after completing treatment for malaria.

Wait 3 months after returning from a trip to an area where malaria is found.

Wait 3 years after living more than 5 years in a country or countries where malaria is found. An additional waiting period of 3 years is required if you have traveled to an area where malaria is found if you have not lived a consecutive 3 years in a country or countries where malaria is not found.

▪️MEASLES EXPOSURE

Acceptable if you are healthy and well and have been vaccinated for measles more than 4 weeks ago or were born before 1956. If you have not been vaccinated or it has been less than 4 weeks since being vaccinated, wait 4 weeks from the date of the vaccination or exposure before donating.

▪️MEDICATION

In almost all cases, medications will not disqualify you as a blood donor. Your eligibility will be based on the reason that the medication was prescribed. As long as the condition is under control and you are healthy, blood donation is usually permitted.

Over-the-counter oral homeopathic medications, herbal remedies, and nutritional supplements are acceptable.

There are a handful of drugs that are of special significance in blood donation.

Persons on these drugs have waiting periods following their last dose before they can donate blood:
• Accutane, Amnesteem, Absorica, Claravis, Myorisan, Sotret or Zenatane (isotretinoin), Proscar (finasteride), and Propecia (finasteride) - wait 1 month from the last dose.
• Avodart or Jalyn (dutasteride) - wait 6 months from the last dose.
• Aspirin, no waiting period for donating whole blood. However, you must wait 2 full days after taking aspirin or any medication containing aspirin before donating platelets by apheresis.  For example, if you take aspirin products on Monday, the soonest you can donate platelets is Thursday.
• Effient (Prasugrel) And Brilinta (Ticagrelor) – no waiting period for donating whole blood. However, you must wait 7 days after taking Brilinta (ticagrelor) before donating platelets by apheresis. You must wait 3 days after taking Effient (prasugrel) before donating platelets by apheresis.
• Feldene (piroxicam), no waiting period for donating whole blood. However, you must wait 2 days after taking Feldene (piroxicam) before donating platelets by apheresis.
• Coumadin, Warfilone, Jantoven (warfarin) and Heparin, are prescription blood thinners- Do not donate since your blood will not clot normally. If your doctor discontinues your treatment with blood thinners, wait 7 days before returning to donate.
• Arixtra (fondaparinux), Fragmin (dalteparin), Eliquis (apixaban), Pradaxa (dabigatran), Savaysa (edoxaban), Xarelto (rivaroxaban),and Lovenox (enoxaparin) are also prescription blood thinners - Do not donate since your blood will not clot normally. If your doctor discontinues your treatment with these blood thinners, wait 2 days before returning to donate.
• Hepatitis B Immune Globulin – given for exposure to hepatitis, wait 3 months after exposure to hepatitis.
• Oral Hiv Prevention (PrEP and PEP) medications - Truvada (emtricitabine and Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate), Descovy (emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide), Tivicay (dolutegravir) and Isentress (raltegravir) are given for exposure to HIV, you must wait 3 months after the last dose of medication to donate.
• Injectable HIV Prevention (PrEP and PEP) medications – Apretude (cabotegravir ) are shots given for exposure to HIV, you must wait 2 years after the last dose of medication to donate.
• HIV treatment also known as antiretroviral therapy (ART) at any time - you are not eligible to donate blood.
• Plavix (clopidogrel) and Ticlid (ticlopidine) – no waiting period for donating whole blood. However you must wait 14 days after taking this medication before donating platelets by apheresis.
• Zontivity (vorapaxar) – no waiting period for donating whole blood. However, you must wait 1 month after taking this medication before donating platelets by apheresis
• Rinvoq (upadacitinib) – wait 1 month
• Thalomid (thalidomide) – wait 1 month
• Revlimid (lenalidomide) – wait 1 month
• Cellcept (mycophenolate mofetil) – an immunosuppressant– wait 6 weeks
• Soriatane (acitretin) – wait 3 years
• Tegison (etretinate) at any time – you are not eligible to donate blood
• Arava (leflunomide), Erivedge (vismodegib) and Odomzo (sonidegib)– wait 2 years.
• Aubagio (teriflunomide) – wait 2 years.
 
▪️MONKEYPOX (EXPOSURE OR DIAGNOSIS)

Monkeypox infection or exposure, wait a minimum of 21 days

▪️ORGAN/TISSUE TRANSPLANTS

Wait 3 months after receiving any type of organ transplant from another person. If you ever received a dura mater (brain covering) transplant, you are not eligible to donate. This requirement is related to concerns about the brain disease, Creutzfeld-Jacob Disease (CJD).

If you ever received a transplant of animal organs or of living animal tissue - you are not eligible to donate blood.   Non-living animal tissues such as bone, tendon, or heart valves are acceptable.

▪️PIERCING (EARS, BODY), ELECTROLYSIS

Acceptable as long as the instruments used were single-use equipment and disposable (which means both the gun and the earring cassette were disposable). Wait 3 months if a piercing was performed using a reusable gun or any reusable instrument.

Wait 3 months if there is any question whether or not the instruments used were single-use equipment. This requirement is related to concerns about hepatitis.

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

▪️Pulse (High or Low)

Acceptable as long as your pulse is no more than 100 and no less than 50.  A pulse that is regular and less than 50 will require evaluation by the regional  Red Cross physician.

Physical exam results vary throughout the day.  Stress, nutrition, illness, hydration, weight, activity, environment and even consumption of certain ingredients (for example, salt or caffeine) can affect the results of the physical exam.  If your result does not meet the minimum/maximum requirement at the time of your attempted donation you will not be permitted to donate. 

▪️SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASE

Wait 3 months after treatment for syphilis or gonorrhea.
Acceptable if it has been more than 3 months since you completed treatment for syphilis or gonorrhea.
Chlamydia, venereal warts (human papilloma virus), or genital herpes are not a cause for deferral if you are feeling healthy and well and meet all other eligibility requirements.

▪️SICKLE CELL

Platelet and plasma donation are acceptable if you have sickle cell trait. Recent research has shown that sickle cell trait-positive whole blood and Power Red donations do not adequately pass a quality control step due to a filter limitation during processing.

As a result, donors who test positive for sickle cell trait after August  7 – and current donors whose donations do not adequately pass the red blood cell filter process – are restricted from giving a whole blood or Power Red donations. It’s important to note that this is an industry-wide filter limitation and not a donor issue.

Those with sickle cell disease are not eligible to donate. 

▪️SKIN DISEASE, RASH, ACNE

Acceptable as long as the skin over the vein to be used to collect blood is not affected. If the skin disease has become infected, wait until the infection has cleared before donating. Taking antibiotics to control acne does not disqualify you from donating.

▪️SURGERY

It is not necessarily surgery but the underlying condition that precipitated the surgery that requires evaluation before donation. Evaluation is on a case by case basis. Discuss your particular situation with the health historian at the time of donation.

▪️SYPHILIS/GONORRHEA

Wait 3 months after being treated for syphilis or gonorrhea.

▪️TATTOO

Wait 3 months after a tattoo if the tattoo was applied in a state that does not regulate tattoo facilities.

A tattoo is acceptable if the tattoo was applied by a state-regulated entity using sterile needles and single-use ink. Cosmetic tattoos (including microblading of eyebrows only) applied in a licensed establishment in a regulated state using sterile needles and single-use ink is acceptable.

▪️TUBERCULOSIS

If you have active tuberculosis or are being treated for active tuberculosis you can not donate. Acceptable if you have a positive skin test or blood test, but no active tuberculosis and are NOT taking antibiotics.

If you are receiving antibiotics for a positive TB skin test or blood test only or if you are being treated for a tuberculosis infection, wait until treatment is successfully completed before donating.

▪️VENEREAL DISEASES

Wait 3 months after treatment for syphilis or gonorrhea.

Chlamydia, venereal warts (human papilloma virus), or genital herpes are not a cause for deferral if you are feeling healthy and well and meet all other eligibility requirements.

▪️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 5'3" 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. Discuss any upper weight limitations of beds and lounges with your local health historian.

▪️ZIKA VIRUS

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