SPECIFIC DONOR INFORMATION

 

Certain health conditions may prevent you from donating blood.  These are only some of our eligibility guidelines.  Please call our Donor Center at (334) 260-3986 for any other questions you may have regarding blood donation.

 

Antibiotics

Wait 2 days after taking antibiotics for an infection.  Persons taking antibiotics to prevent an infection may donate.   Those with a fever above 99ºF may not donate until the fever is passed.

High Blood Pressure

As long as the blood pressure is below 180 systolic (first number) and below 100 diastolic (second number) at the time of donation, a person may donate.  Medications for high blood pressure do not disqualify someone from donating.

High Cholesterol

Persons with high cholesterol may donate.  Those on medications to lower cholesterol level may donate.

Cold, Flu, Sore Throat

Wait if you have a fever or a productive cough.  Wait if you feel unwell on the day of the donation.

Diabetes

Two weeks after starting or changing the dosage of insulin a person may donate.  Those who since 1980, received an injection of bovine insulin are not eligible to donate.

Heart Disease

Persons with heart disease may donate as long as they have no restrictions on their physical activities, take no medications for heart disease other than aspirin, and have no heart-related symptoms such as chest pain.  Wait at least 6 months following a heart attack.  Persons with pacemakers may donate as long as their pulse is between 50 and 100 per minute with a small number of irregular beats.

Heart Murmur, Heart Valve Disorder

Persons with a heart murmur may donate as long as they have no symptoms on the day of the donation, no restrictions on their physical activity, and are not taking any medications for heart disease other than antibiotics to prevent infections.

Hemoglobin, Hematocrit, Blood Count

Each donor's hemoglobin is measured at the blood collection site before donation is allowed. The level required for blood donation is set by the Food and Drug Administration for all blood collections in the United States. It is common for donors, especially women, to have hemoglobin levels too low to donate. This is sometimes due to iron deficiency, but may also be normal for the person. If you are disqualified as a donor because of a low blood count, you may return and try again at any time.  Those with a hemoglobin at or above 12.5 g/dL may donate. Those with a hematocrit at or above 38% may donate.

Medications

In almost all cases, medications do not disqualify a person as a blood donor. The person's eligibility is based on the reason that the medication was prescribed. As long as the condition is under control and the person is healthy, blood donation is usually permitted. There are just a few selected drugs that are potentially toxic if given to a patient through transfusion; persons on these medications have waiting periods before donating:
Wait 3 years from the last dose of Soriatane (acitretin).
Wait 4 weeks after taking Accutane (isoretinoin) Proscar (finasteride),Propecia (finasteride), methotrexate
Persons who have ever taken Tegison (etretinate) are not eligible to donate blood.
Wait 3 months after taking Arava (leflunomide).
Wait 5 days after taking coumadin.
Wait 36 hours after taking aspirin, Plavix (clopidogrel) or Ticlid (ticlopidine)if you are going to donate plateletpheresis.

Piercing (ears, body), Accupuncture

Persons may donate as long as the piercing instruments were sterile.  Wait 12 months if there is any question whether or not the piercing instruments were sterile and free of blood contamination.

Pregnancy

Persons who are pregnant are not eligible to donate.  Wait 6 weeks after delivering, miscarrying, or terminating a pregnancy.  Mothers who are nursing may donate.

Tattoo

Wait 12 months after a tattoo.

Travel Outside of U.S.

Wait 12 months after travel into areas with a risk of malaria.
Wait 3 years after immigrating from a country with malaria.
Persons who have spent long periods of time in countries where mad cow disease is found are not eligible to donate. You may not donate if you have stayed more than 3 months total in countries on list 1, or more than 6 months total in countries on list 1 or 2, since 1980.

 

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