Blood Donation - What to know?
WHAT IS BLOOD TRANSFUSION AND DONATION?
Blood Donation occurs when a person voluntarily has blood drawn for donation/transfusions. The donor in most cases in non-paid. However, today blood donations are saving lives. And a disease like Thalassemia in which patients have to get blood transfusions after every 28 days, the need for such donors is increasing rapidly.
Blood transfusion is the transfer of blood of a volunteer to the patient.
WHAT HAPPENS TO BLOOD AFTER DONATION?
The blood now undergoes a medical process called Screening. The blood is sent to laboratories where it is screened for viruses, HIV, Hepatitis traits, etc. If the test fails, the blood is disposed off properly. Well, if the test is passed, the blood is separated into several compounds meaning that blood can now be delivered to several different patients. The blood is sent to different hospitals and in most cases is stored in blood bank.
INTO WHICH COMPOUNDS BLOOD IS SPLIT?
Blood is basically split into 3 parts which can be used for variety of purposes. You can learn about each component by searching our website.
Red Blood Cells
Red blood cells are often used to treat types of anemia that do not always respond to other forms of treatment, such as medication. For example, sickle cell anemia (a genetic condition that stops the red cells from carrying enough oxygen) is sometimes treated using red cells.
Red blood cells are also often used to replace blood lost as a result of an accident, surgery or during childbirth. In some cases, these cells are also used before operations and surgical procedures. For example, you may need preoperative red blood cells if you are severely anemic or have severe burns.
Platelets
They are often used to treat bleeding caused by bone marrow failure. Bone marrow is the spongy tissue inside your bones that helps produce new blood cells. When the bone marrow is not able to produce enough cells, it is known as bone marrow failure. Platelets are also used to treat bleeding caused by leukemia (a form of cancer that affects the blood cells).
Plasma
Plasma is a yellow-coloured fluid that helps carry all the different types of blood cells. It is usually frozen. Frozen plasma is used to help replace blood lost during childbirth or heart surgery.
ELIGIBILITY FOR BLOOD DONATION
This is always a basic trial in appointment before donation. You have to meet all the following basic guidelines to become eligible:
- AGE: You have to be at least 17 years of age to donate blood. There is no upper limit to age provided that you are active and have no limitations or restrictions to your lifestyle.
- BLOOD PRESSURE: Your blood pressure must be below 180 systolic and 100 diastolic. Medications for high blood pressure do not disqualify you from donating.
- BODY PIERCING: You can't donate blood if you had a tongue, belly button or genital piercing in past 12 months. Donors with ears piercing can donate.
- COLD AND 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.
- DIABETES: As long as acceptable if maintained. Medication taking or not has no effect on your eligibility mark.
- DIET: You must have a well balanced meal 4 hours prior to the donation. Also drink plenty of juices or fluids.
- MSM: Men who have had sex with other men, at any time since 1977 (the beginning of the AIDS epidemic in the United States) are currently deferred as blood donors. This is because MSM are, as a group, at increased risk for HIV, hepatitis B and certain other infections that can be transmitted by transfusion.
- TATTOOS: One year deferral.
- WEIGHT: You must weigh at least 110 pounds to be eligible for blood donation for your own safety. Blood volume is in proportion to body weight. Donors who weigh less than 110 pounds may not tolerate the removal of the required volume of blood as well as those who weigh more than 110 pounds. There is no upper weight limit as long as your weight is not higher than the weight limit of the donor bed or lounge you are using. You can discuss any upper weight limitations of beds and lounges with your local health historian.
Simultaneously, you can't donate blood if you are in a high risk for AIDS, had suffered hepatitis, used self-injected drug and if you had suffered any blood-inherited disease.
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