Download Donor Requirements

Donor Requirements
Basic Requirements
Be in generally good health and feel well
Be 17 years of age—there is no upper limit
Weigh at least 110 pounds
Apheresis donation may have additional requirements
Donation Frequency
Whole blood donors every 56 days
Platelet donors may donate every 48 hours
Plasma donors may donate every 4 weeks
Red cell apheresis donors every 112 days
Immunizations
Polio, mumps, rubeola (a type of measles), smallpox—2 weeks
Rubella (a type of measles)—4 weeks
Tetanus, diphtheria, flu, Hepatitis B—can donate if no reaction
present
Other Possible Restrictions
Body/ear piercing—1 year deferral unless piercing was
performed with a sterile, single use, disposable, skin piercing
needle, a piercing gun or a physician or nurse using a disposable
needle and septic technique.
Dental work—cleaning, fillings, extractions, root canal, OK if no
infection
Hepatitis exposure—12 months
Tattoo—1 year
Travel Restrictions
Malaria Area—can donate after 1 yr. if in a malaria area for 6
mo. or less; can donate after 3 yr. if in a malaria area for more
than 6 mo.
England—cannot donate if spent time that adds up to 3 mo. or
more in the U.K. from 1980-1996 (England, N. Ireland,
Scotland, Wales, Isle of Man, Channel Islands, Gibraltar,
Falkland Islands)
Europe—cannot donate if spent time that adds up to 5 yr. or more
in European countries since 1980 (including time in the U.K.
during 1980-1996)
Military—cannot donate if spent 6 mo. or more in military bases
in northern Europe 1980-1990 or Southern Europe 1980-1996
Medications
Acetaminophen (e.g. Tylenol)—may be taken before any blood
donation
Accutane—can donate 4 weeks after last dose
Allergy medication—can donate
Antibiotics—48 hours after infection; some are okay for acne
Anti-inflammatory drugs, such as Advil, Ibuprofen, Motrin and
Naprosyn—may not be taken within 24 hours before a platelet
donation.
Aspirin-containing products, Feldene and Lodine XL—may not be
taken within 36 hours prior to a platelet donation
Birth control pills—can donate if blood pressure is stable
Blood pressure medication—can donate if blood pressure is stable
Depression medication—can donate
Diuretics—can donate
Diabetic medication
• Oral or insulin is okay if condition is stable
• Injected bovine (beef) insulin since 1980—cannot
donate
Diet pills—can donate
BB07092002
Female hormone pills—can donate
Propecia—can donate 4 weeks after last dose
Proscar—can donate 4 weeks after last dose
Soriatane (Acitretin)—can donate 3 years after last dose
Tegison—cannot donate if ever taken
Thyroid medication—can donate if stabilized
Medical conditions
Allergies—can donate if no infection present
Asthma—can donate if no symptoms
Blood disorders or bleeding tendencies—cannot donate
Brain or spinal surgery that required a transplant of brain covering
(dura mater)—cannot donate
CJD: Donor or donor’s blood relative diagnosed with CreutzfeldtJakob Disease (CJD) or an increased family risk of CJD—cannot
donate
Cancer
• Basal cell, squamous cell skin cancers and
keratosis—until removed and healed
• Melanoma—cannot donate
• Malignant tumors—5 years in remission
Colds, fever, flu sore throat, cough, respiratory infection,
headache—cannot donate
Cold sore, fever blister, canker sore—can donate
Diabetes—can donate if stable
Heart Attack—if greater than one year and no symptoms – on no
medication for the heart (Aspirin is okay)
Heart Surgery—Coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) or
angioplasty—1 year after surgery, no symptoms and on no
medication for the heart (Aspirin is okay)
Hemochromatosis—cannot donate
Hepatitis
• Hepatitis or undiagnosed jaundice after age
10—cannot donate
• Positive hepatitis test—cannot donate
Herpes (genital)—can donate after lesions clear
Major/minor surgery—can donate after healed and released from
MD care
Pregnancy—6 weeks after delivery
Strokes—6 mo. after if no physical restrictions or medications
Venereal disease
• Genital herpes—until all lesions are clear
• Chlamydia, genital warts—can donate
• gonorrhea, syphilis and other venereal diseases—1
year
Individuals at risk for AIDS must not donate blood. Do not donate
blood if you have ever tested positive for HIV or if:
• You have ever injected yourself with drugs not
prescribed by a physician
• You are a man and have had sex with another man
since 1977, even once
• You have hemophilia or blood clotting disorder and
received clotting factor concentrates
• You have had sex for drugs or money since 1977
• Since 1977, born in, lived in or received blood
products while in Cameroon, Central African
Republic, Chad, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon,
Niger or Nigeria
00-733