About Blood Donation: Questions and Answers

Celebrating the Gift of Blood
Questions and answers about blood donation
Why should people donate blood? Donating blood is very simple. You will be made as comfortable as
Safe blood saves lives. Blood is commonly used for women with possible, usually in a special chair or on a bed. The area inside one
complications of pregnancy, such as ectopic pregnancies and of your elbows will be cleaned with an antiseptic solution before
haemorrhage before, during or after childbirth, children with severe a trained health worker inserts a sterile needle, connected to a
anaemia often resulting from malaria or malnutrition, accident blood collection bag, into your vein. It usually takes only about 10
victims and surgical and cancer patients. minutes to donate blood.
There is a constant need for a regular supply of blood because After resting for 10 or 15 minutes and taking some refreshment,
blood can be stored only for a limited period of time before use. you will be able to return to your normal activities, although you
Regular blood donation by a sufficient number of healthy people is should avoid strenuous activity for the rest of the day. You should
needed to ensure that blood will always be available whenever and drink plenty of fluids over the next 24 hours.
wherever it is needed.
Blood is the most precious gift that anyone can give to another How much blood will be taken? Will I have enough?
person—the gift of life. A decision to donate your blood can save a In most countries, the volume of blood taken is 450 millilitres, less
life, or even several if your blood is separated into its components— than 10% of your total blood volume (the average adult has 4.5 to
red cells, platelets and plasma—which can be used individually for 5 litres of blood). In some countries, a smaller volume is taken. Your
patients with specific conditions. body will replace the lost fluid within about 36 hours.
What happens when I give blood? Is giving blood safe?

Whether it is the first time you give blood or you are a regular Yes. Remember that you will only be accepted as a blood donor if
donor, the blood service must make sure that you will come to no you are fit and well. Your health and well-being are very important
harm by donating blood. It must also check that your blood will be to the blood service. The needle and blood bag used to collect blood
safe for the person who receives it. come in a sterile pack that cannot be reused, so the process is made
Before you give blood, you will be asked some questions about your as safe as possible.
medical history, including any medication you are taking, and about
your current health and lifestyle. These questions will be asked only
Does it hurt?
to safeguard your own health and the health of the person receiving
your blood. You will be told whether you are eligible to give blood Just squeeze the inside of your elbow tightly and you will get
and, if not, whether you may be able to donate blood in the future. a quick idea of what the needle feels like. All you should feel is
Any personal information that you are asked to give will be kept a gentle pressure, but no pain. Blood donation is very safe and
confidential and will not be used for any other purpose. any discomfort or problem during or after donating is very
uncommon.
It is very important to be truthful about any reasons why your blood
might not be suitable. Although blood should always be tested for
infections that can be transmitted by transfusion, such as HIV, Who can give blood, and how often?
hepatitis B and C, and syphilis, a test may not be able to detect a
The criteria for donor selection may vary from country to country,
very recent infection. This means that even though the blood may
but blood can be donated by most people who are healthy and do
test negative for a particular infection, it might still infect a patient
not have an infection that can be transmitted through their blood.
receiving a blood transfusion.
The age at which people are eligible to give blood varies, but is
After answering the questions you will also be given a brief medical
commonly between the ages of 17 and 65. Some countries accept
examination that may include checking your pulse and blood
donations from people from the age of 16 and extend the upper age
pressure and ensuring that your weight meets a certain minimum.
limit beyond 65 years.
A drop of blood will then be taken from your fingertip to check
that giving blood will not make you anaemic. Your health is very Healthy adults can give blood regularly—at least twice a year. Your
important to the blood transfusion service and blood will not be local blood service can tell you how frequently you can give blood.
taken unless you can safely give a donation that day.
Who should not give blood? You should not donate blood if:
You should not give blood if your own health might suffer as a • You have or may recently have contracted a sexually transmitted
result. The first concern of the blood service is to ensure that blood disease, such as HIV or syphilis, that can be passed on to a patient
donation does no harm to the blood donor. You should not donate who receives your blood;
blood if: • Your lifestyle puts you at risk of contracting an infection that can
• You are feeling unwell; be transmitted through your blood: for example, if you have more
• You are anaemic; than one sexual partner or have sexual contact with prostitutes;
• You are pregnant, have been pregnant within the last year or are • You have ever injected recreational non-medicinal drugs;
breastfeeding; • You have recently had a tattoo, skin scarification or ear or body
• You have certain medical conditions such as heart disease, low or piercing—your local blood service can tell you how long you must
high blood pressure, diabetes or epilepsy; wait before giving blood;
• You are taking certain medications, such as antibiotics. • You have had sexual contact with anyone in the above categories.
You may be able to donate blood at a later time. In some cases,

however, in order to protect your own health you will not be able How will I feel after giving blood?
to donate blood. You should feel great for selflessly giving someone the gift of
You should not donate blood if it might cause harm to the patient blood!
who receives it. Blood can transmit life-threatening infections to
patients who receive blood transfusions.

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About Blood Donation: Questions and Answers

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Celebrating the Gift of Blood

Questions and answers about blood donation

What happens when I give blood? Is giving blood safe?

You may be able to donate blood at a later time. In some cases,

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