FAQ for blood Donors
Why should I donate blood?
Do I have enough blood in
my body to donate?
Is donating blood safe?
How often can one give blood?
When should I not donate blood?
How do I know if I am eligible to donate blood?
How can I ensure a pleasant donation experience?
Any side effects of blood donations?
Should I give blood now
or wait until I am called?
How long does it take to donate blood?
What happens to my unit of blood?
Is donating blood painful?
How much blood is
taken — won't
it make me weak?
Can I get communicable diseases by donating blood?
Can I smoke after giving blood?
Can I go back to work on the same day?
I gave up smoking and I am using patches, will I still be able
to give blood?
I've heard that blood is
used for research. Isn't it all needed by patients?
I am a vegetarian, can I give blood?
What is blood component?
What is the most common blood type?
Is there such thing as artificial blood?
Why should I donate blood?
The most important reason for becoming a regular blood donor
is to meet the blood needs of our
community. There is no substitute for human blood;
donors are the only source. Every two seconds, someone needs blood,
and an adequate blood supply is
crucial to their survival. Remember, just one unit of your blood can
save as many as three lives.
The demand for blood continues to
increase, yet only 7% of the population donates.
Do I have enough blood in
my body to donate?
Yes. The body contains 10 to 12 units of blood.
Your whole blood donation is approximately
one unit
Is donating blood safe?
Donating blood is a safe process.
Needles and bags used to collect blood are
used only once and then discarded, making spread of infection to the
donor not possible.
How often can one give blood?
People may donate whole blood once
every 56 days. The waiting period between donations can be different
for other blood components. For
example, donating only platelets in a process called aphaeresis requires
only a 3 day wait before a person can give again. Donating two units
of red blood cells through a similar
process doubles the waiting period to 112 days.
When should I not donate blood?
Ans. You should not donate blood if
you are below 18 years or above 60 years of age and weigh below 40kgs.
You are not supposed to donate blood if
you are suffering from any of the following conditions:
Permanently, from
• Diabetes
• Heart disease
• Tuberculosis
• Kidney disease
• HIV/AIDS
• Serum Hepatitis (Australia Antigen Positive)
• Or prone to vasovagal attacks.
Temporarily, if you
• Have fever
• Have anemia
• Are on some medication
• Are pregnant/lactating/menstruating
• Had taken any vaccination in last 6 weeks
• Had suffered from malaria/typhoid in last 1 year
• Had jaundice other than serum hepatitis in last 3 years.
How do I know if I am eligible to donate blood?
You must be in good health, be at least 17 years old, and weigh at
least 40kgs. You will also need to pass physical and health history
reviews prior to donating. There is no upper age limit on your ability
to donate. Conditions that require a temporary deferral are pregnancy,
travel to certain parts of the world, inoculations, some health conditions
and certain medications..
How can I ensure a pleasant donation experience?
You'll want a good night's sleep the night before, and a good breakfast
or lunch before your donation. Drink fluids like juice, milk, or soda
ahead of time. Take your normal medications as prescribed. Ensure you
have adequate iron level by making iron-rich foods part of your daily
diet. These include red meat, poultry, fish, green leafy vegetables,
iron-fortified cereals, nuts, raisins and prunes. During your donation,
relax. After your donation, have some juice and cookies. Then you can
go about your daily activities, but avoid heavy lifting or strenuous
exercise for the remainder of the day.
Any side effects of blood donations?
No ! Not really. Do ask any regular blood donor
about it. A small percentage of first time donors may psychologically
feel a little dizzy but only for a few minutes. Staff at the blood bank
will ensure that your first blood donation
is a happy experience. We are sure this will make you a regular blood donor.
In fact there are many people who have donated more than 100 times
in their life time.
Should I give blood now
or wait until I am called?
Under normal circumstances eligible donors are encouraged to donate
as often as possible. During emergency circumstances please listen
to media reports in your area and donate as requested.
How long does it take to donate blood?
The whole process takes about an hour. It starts with registration,
a health history and a mini-physical. Then comes the actual donation,
which usually takes less than 10-12 minutes. Afterward, you will
be asked to spend a few minutes in the "canteen"
where you can have a light refreshment before returning to your normal
activities.
What happens to my unit of blood?
After you donate, your blood is
tested for HIV, Syphilis, Hepatitis, Malaria etc to be sure that it
is safe as possible for a patient to receive.
• blood group and type are
identified.
• A blood group card is mailed
to the donor
• Before the blood is issued
for transfusion, it is cross matched with the patient's blood
• Donor's blood must match
with that of the patient
• You cannot get AIDS by donating blood
Is donating blood painful?
Donating blood is not painful and
is completely safe for the donor. It takes approximately 10 minutes
to donate blood and about 10 minutes
for post donating rest and refreshment. Only 350 to 450 ml blood is
taken which gets replaced in the body within 24 hours.
How much blood is
taken — won't it make me weak?
A blood donation equals approximately
one unit of blood. The average adult
body has 10-12 units. The vast majority of people will not feel any
different because of the donation. A very small percentage may experience
temporary dizziness, but some rest and fluids will help you feel better
quickly. Your body will replace the lost fluid within 24 hours.
Can I get communicable diseases by donating blood?
No. There is no possibility of getting communicable diseases by donating blood as
the blood collecting set and needles
used are sterile and also disposable, i.e. they are destroyed after
single use.
Post donation care?
• Eat and Drinks something before leaving
• Drink more liquids than usual in next 4 hours
• Avoid consuming alcohol until you have eating something
• Don't smoke for next 30 minutes
• Avoid climbing steps for next 30 minutes
• If there is bleeding from the phlebotomy site, raise the arm
and apply pressure
• If fainting or dizziness occurs, either lie down or site with
the head between the knees
• Resume all normal activities if no symptoms occur
• Remove bandage next day.
Can I smoke after giving blood?
Probably best that you don't for about two hours after donating, as
it might make you feel dizzy or faint.
Can I go back to work on the same day?
Unfortunately the answer is yes. However, there's always an 'however'
- and it's unwise to give blood just
before undertaking a hazardous hobby or job, such as driving a crane
or driving in the emergency services.
I gave up smoking and I am using patches, will I still be
able to give blood?
Yes, probably. If you suffer from any symptoms as a result of quitting,
we suggest you only give blood once
those symptoms have passed. Most patches, nasal sprays and gum do not
prevent you from giving blood but
bring them along to the session and show the nurse or doctor before
donating.
I've heard that blood is
used for research. Isn't it all needed by patients?
When you come to donate blood the
leaflet you are asked to read, tells you that occasionally blood that
is not needed for transfusion maybe used for research and development
work. All such use is carefully controlled, ethical approval is obtained
where appropriate and no donor is identified.
I am a vegetarian, can I give blood?
There is no problem with vegetarians giving blood.
The red blood cells, which require
iron from the stores in your body, will need to be replaced after the
donation. Provided you eat a well-balanced diet you should be able
to replenish your iron supply within a month. However, this may take
longer because you are a vegetarian.
• Red blood Cells
They contain hemoglobin, a substance responsible for carrying oxygen
to the body tissues. Loss of Red blood Cells,
which can occur due to many causes, results in inadequate amount
of oxygen being supplied to the body's tissues.
Uses: Concentrated Red blood Cells
are used for treating various types of anemia which do not respond
to drug therapy. For example, victims of accidents who suffer major blood loss,
patients having bleeding disorders, kidney disorders and for major
surgeries.
• White blood Cells
They are known as leucocytes. White blood Cells
are the body's defense against disease, they help to fight infection.
Some destroy bacteria, others produce antibodies against bacteria and
viruses.
Uses: Patients suffering from Septicemia are treated with White blood Cells.
In certain situation, especially in newborn babies with serious infection
and low White blood Cells count,
transfusion of White Blood Cells
may help to overcome these infections.
• Platelets
They are the sticky blood cells.
The sticky quality enables Platelets to form clots over torn or damaged blood vessels
from which bleeding occurs.
Uses: Platelets in large quantities are transfused into patients
whose bone marrow does not produce enough Platelets, such as those
suffering from leukemia, hemophilia and those undergoing chemotherapy.
• Plasma
Plasma is composed mainly of water, salts and many proteins.
It is the fluid portion of body which is processed by freeze drying
so that it can be stored at normal temperatures over longer periods
of time. Whole blood is suitable
for transfusion for only thirty five days after it has been donated,
while plasma from any blood not
used during this period can be converted into dried Plasma and
can be preserved for longer donation.
Uses: Patients suffering from burns, crush injuries, hemophilia, liver
disorder etc. require plasma.
• Factor VIII preparations
Cryoprecipitate, a product prepared from Plasma contain a blood clotting
substance called factor VIII. This is absent in patients suffering
from hemophilia.
What is the most common blood type?
The approximate distribution of blood types
as follows. Distribution may be different for specific racial and ethnic
groups:
O Rh-positive --- 38 percent
O Rh-negative --- 7 percent
A Rh-positive --- 34 percent
A Rh-negative --- 6 percent
B Rh-positive --- 9 percent
B Rh-negative --- 2 percent
AB Rh-positive --- 3 percent
AB Rh-negative --- 1 percent
Is there such thing as artificial blood?
Scientists have yet to find a successful substitute for human blood.
This is why blood donors are so
vital to the lives of those who are in need of blood.