How do I know if I can donate blood?

All of us may need a blood transfusion at any time in our lives. According to the Red Cross, one in ten hospitalized patients needs blood, one person needs blood every three seconds and one in two people living in Spain will need blood at some point in their lives.

Nonetheless, the same data tells us that only 5% of possible blood donors donate blood each year, a process that takes no longer than 30 minutes, and that they extract 450 ml of blood, split it into red blood cells, plasma and platelets, saving up to three lives .

Why donating blood is importantand

There is no substitute for blood, it cannot be made outside the body, and it has a limited lifespan, so donors are the only blood supply to save those who need it. Blood supplies must be stable because, as the World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes, “the need for blood is universal, but access to it is not.”

There are many reasons why we need blood. Plasma is a clear, yellowish liquid that makes up 55% of total blood volume and is used to stop bleeding and restore blood volume in burns or serious accidents, or when someone needs the protein contained in plasma. plasma. In this case, these proteins are extracted to make drugs called blood derivatives.

Red blood cells are used to treat secondary acute anemia, such as chronic anemia, and may also be used in people who have lost excessive blood due to trauma. Platelets are used as a prophylactic treatment to avoid bleeding in the brain, usually in patients with blood disorders that do not produce enough platelets or in patients who have undergone cancer treatment that destroys platelets. They are also used for preventive treatment in tests such as biopsy aspiration, in certain cases of organ transplantation or bone marrow transplantation.

Who can donate blood

According to data from the Spanish Blood Donor Federation (FEDSANG), approximately 18.7 million people donated blood in Spain between 2012 and 2022. The procedure, administered via an intravenous sample, is no more painful than a simple blood test.

You can donate blood if you meet several requirements. According to the Blood Bank of Catalonia’s Ministry of Health, two of the main conditions are related to age and weight issues. Are you between 18 and 70 years old and weigh more than 50 kg? Then you have a good reason to donate blood. But you won’t be able to make your first donation after age 60.

If you are a woman, you can do this up to three times a year; if you are a man, the number is higher and you can donate up to four times a year. But in all cases, there must be at least two months between one donation and another. Even if you have high cholesterol, and even if you take some of the most common medications, such as aspirin or anti-inflammatory drugs (as long as you notify us in advance), you can donate blood as it is generally compatible with donating blood, although this depends on the medication and the reason . It is not recommended that you donate blood while fasting.

You can also donate blood if you are menstruating (and feeling fine) or taking oral contraceptive pills.

When you can’t donate blood

On the other hand, if you have hepatitis B (even if you have been cured), hepatitis C, or HIV, you will not be able to donate blood. The same goes if you are insulin-dependent diabetic, have epilepsy and are being treated for it (in which case you can only donate after three years), or have a serious medical condition.

In some cases, you will be temporarily unable to donate blood, such as after surgery (you must wait a week to four months before donating blood); if you have recently had a fever; if you have had an endoscopy or catheterization (this condition you have to wait four months); you had acupuncture without disposable equipment (four months); you had a flu or allergy shot (24 hours); you have a tattoo or piercing (four months); you have traveled outside Europe (you must wait at least 28 days); you live with someone who has hepatitis B, even if you have been vaccinated, or you have engaged in behavior in the past four months that may involve contact with another person’s blood.

How to proceed with the donation process

When you go to donate, you will receive a physical exam and have your blood pressure and hemoglobin levels checked for your safety and the safety of the recipient. You must also complete a test in which you will be asked questions such as if you are taking or have taken any medications, if you have had a fever in the past two weeks, if you have been to the dentist, if you have had any vaccinations in the past two months, Have you had any surgical procedures in the past four months, have you traveled outside of Spain in the past 12 months, or have you had heart disease, diabetes or diabetes at any time in your life? severe allergic reactions, and many other problems.

A yes answer to any question does not mean we are invalid. A doctor is the person who evaluates and decides whether someone is a good candidate. If so, extraction is performed in a closed bag system containing anticoagulant liquid and preservatives. The blood taken from you is analyzed to determine your blood type (A, B, AB, or O) and the Rh factor, which will be positive or negative depending on the presence of a specific antigen in the blood. This is critical information because your blood type and Rh factor must match the recipient’s blood type and Rh factor.

and then?

After donating blood, it is important not to do any strenuous physical activity, especially if you have been stabbed in the arm, for at least the next 24 hours. It is also not recommended to drink alcohol or smoke for the next two hours, but it is recommended to drink plenty of fluids, not to stand for long periods of time and to avoid going to very hot places for the next six hours.