who can not donate plasma

Who Cannot Donate Plasma?

Donating plasma is a great way to help out the community and make some extra money. However, not everyone is eligible to donate plasma. To ensure the safety of both the donor and the recipient, there are a few eligibility criteria that must be met before donating plasma.

There are several medical and lifestyle factors that can make you ineligible to donate plasma. This includes being a pregnant or nursing mother, having a blood-borne illness, having certain types of cancer, receiving certain types of medications or having a recent tattoo or body piercing. Additionally, if you have donated plasma within the last 7 days, you are not eligible to donate again until at least 7 days have passed since your last donation.

If you have any of the following medical conditions, you are not eligible to donate plasma:

• HIV/AIDS

• AIDS-related Complex (ARC)
• Syphilis
• Hepatitis B or C
• Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease
• Severe Heart Disease
• Cancer of the Blood or Lymph Nodes
• High Blood Pressure
• Diabetes
• Kidney Disease
• Epilepsy
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Hemophilia
• Porphyria
• Severe Anemia
• Lupus

Additionally, if you have recently traveled abroad or have had contact with someone who has, you may not be eligible to donate plasma. To be eligible, you must have been in the United States for at least 3 months prior to donating plasma.

Finally, if you have recently used certain drugs, you may not be eligible to donate plasma. This includes recreational drugs, steroids, diet pills, and other drugs that are not prescribed by a doctor.

FAQs

Q. How often can I donate plasma?

A. You can donate plasma up to twice a week, but there must be at least 48 hours between donations.

Q. Is there an age requirement to donate plasma?

A. Yes, you must be 18 or older to donate plasma.

Q. Does donating plasma hurt?

A. No, donating plasma is a relatively painless process. Most donors report only minor discomfort or a slight pinch when the needle is inserted.

Q. Are there any side effects from donating plasma?

A. Generally, donating plasma is a safe process with few side effects. However, some donors may experience dizziness, nausea, or fainting after donating.

Q. Is there a way to make donating plasma more comfortable?

A. Yes, some donors find it helpful to drink plenty of fluids before donating and to bring a book or other distraction to help pass the time.

Links:

• Red Cross: Eligibility Requirements for Donating Plasma
• Mayo Clinic: Is Donating Plasma Right for You?