Who can donate blood? Tips and misconceptions of blood donation

Most of the people can donate blood. One can donate blood if he/she:

• Are healthy and fit
• Weigh more than 50 kgs
• Are aged between 17 & 66 years (or 70 years if they have given blood earlier)
• Are more than 70 years of age and have donated blood in past 2 years

How often to donate blood?

Men can donate blood every 12 weeks and women can donate it every 16 weeks

Women below 20 years-

A female below 20 years of age weighing below 65 kgs or shorter than 168 cm or 5’6’’ height, would need to estimate her volume of blood to see if they can donate blood. They should consult a doctor prior to donating blood.

Tips on donating blood:

• The donor should have a good meal at least 3 hours prior to blood donation
• A donor should accept the snacks they are offered after donating blood as it is good for their health. They are recommended to take good meal later.
• A donor should avoid smoking on the day prior to blood donation. They may do so after 3 hours.
• Do not take alcohol at last 48 hours before donating blood

Misconceptions about blood donation

• Donor would not feel tired or drained if they continue to take fluids and take good meal
• A donor can resume their normal activities post blood donation, though they are asked not to exercise or take the heavyweight for 12 hours after donating blood.
• Blood donation would not reduce blood in the body of donor, rather it would give them surplus blood post donation
• Donor can consume alcohol the next day
• There is no pain during blood donation
• The donor would not feel uncomfortable or not faint post blood donation.
• A blood donor does not get AIDS
• A patient is just as a donor. Most of the patients have common blood types. As your blood type is common, there is more demand for that type as compared to the rare types. Therefore, even if donor’s blood type is common the requirement still exists.

.