World Blood Donor Day: 6 kinds of people who should avoid donating blood

World Blood Donor Day is celebrated to raise awareness about blood donation. On this day, find 6 kinds of people who should not donate blood.
world blood donor day
People with certain medical conditions may need blood. Image courtesy: Shutterstock
Aayushi Gupta Published: 13 Jun 2022, 21:54 pm IST
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Donating blood is regarded as a noble act because it can help save millions of lives and manage certain medical conditions. However, while the process of donating blood is relatively simple, there are some people who should not donate blood. These people may be on certain medications, have diseases or conditions that prevent them from donating blood. That’s why, on World Blood Donor Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness about blood donation, let us get to know about those who can’t donate blood.

Health Shots got in touch with Dr Akash Banwari, Principal Consultant – Pathology, Max Hospital Gurugram, about those who cannot donate blood.

Here are 6 kinds of people who cannot donate blood:

1. Person who has donated blood in the last 3 months

How often a person can donate blood is determined by the type of blood donation. When it comes to whole blood donations, you should wait at least 56 days, or three months, before donating again. Before donating platelets, you must wait at least 7 days after donating blood. For double cell donation, you must wait 112 days before donating again, and you may donate up to three times per year.

people who should not donate blood
Take care of yourself post blood donation. Image courtesy: Shutterstock

2. Person who is suffering or suffered from tuberculosis

People with certain medical conditions cannot donate blood either for a set period or permanently. If you are suffering from tuberculosis, HIV or AIDS, Ebola, or Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD, a degenerative brain disorder that leads to dementia and death), you cannot donate blood. However, people with chlamydia, warts, and genital herpes are able to donate blood if they are feeling well at the time.

3. Person who had any major surgery in last 6 months

Every blood donation depends on your overall health. You can donate blood if you have had dental surgery and do not have an infection. However, if you have had bypass surgery or other heart problems, you may need to wait up to 6 months before donating blood. Even after 6 months, you should check with your doctor to see if you can donate blood now.

people who should not donate blood
You need to take proper care of your heart if you’ve heart issues. Image courtesy: Shutterstock

4. Person who is on aspirin and has taken it in within last 48 hour

If a person is taking certain medications, they should wait before making any kind of blood donation. According to the American Red Cross, some medications that can affect blood donation include aspirin, antibiotics, bovine insulin, blood thinner, dutasteride, thalidomide, isotretinoin, hepatitis B immune globulin, acitretin, and etretinate. People with these medicines should wait before giving blood if they’ve recently had these medicines.

5. Person suffering from cold and cough

When donating, it is critical that you are in good health. You should avoid it even if you are sick. According to Dr. Banwari, you cannot donate blood if you have a fever, cold, or cough (bringing up phlegm). You should wait until you have fully recovered from your antibiotic treatment for a sinus, throat, or lung infection. This is due to the fact that some infections are transmitted through the blood.

people who should not donate blood
Yes, you should avoid donating blood if you’ve cold and cough. Image courtesy: Shutterstock

6. Person having drug addiction

You may only give blood if you are taking doctor-prescribed medications. So, people who have used needles to take drugs, steroids, or other substances not prescribed by a doctor may be unable to donate blood. And in that case, you may have to wait up to 5 years to donate blood.

Who can donate blood?

  • People who are fit and well
  • People aged between 17 and 65
  • Those who weigh between 50 kg and 158 kg
  • Those who have appropriate veins. It will be checked by a doctor before you donate.
  • If you meet all donor eligibility requirements. The doctor will check this with you before you donate.

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About the Author

Aayushi Gupta is a health writer with a special interest in trends related to diet, fitness, beauty and intimate health. With around 2 years of experience in the wellness industry, she is connected to leading experts and doctors to provide our readers with factually correct information. ...Read More

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