Can I Donate Blood If Im A Cancer Survivor
Some people who have had cancer are not allowed to donate blood for a certain length of time after treatment. This is done partly to protect the donor, but it may also add an extra margin of safety for the person who receives the blood. If you arent sure if you are well enough to give blood, talk with your cancer care team before you try to donate.
While cancer has very rarely been transmitted through transplants of solid organs such as kidneys, there have been no reports of cancer transmission by blood transfusion. To check this, a group of researchers looked back in time at people who had received blood from donors who had developed cancer within 5 years of giving the blood. They found no increased cancer risk in those who got blood from those who were found to have cancer soon after donating.
This suggests that the chance of getting cancer from a blood donor with cancer is extremely small, if it exists at all. Even if cancer cells were present in donated blood, the immune system of the person getting the blood would destroy the cells. A possible exception might be in transfusion recipients with weakened immune systems, who might not be able to fight off the cancer cells. Because of this slight possibility, people whose cancer is thought to be growing or spreading are not allowed to donate blood for other people.
You cannot donate blood for other people if:
If you have questions about whether you can donate, please contact the blood collecting center in your community.
Can You Donate Blood If You Have Herpes
by BenPublished on February 1, 2019Updated on June 15, 2020
Can you donate blood if you have herpes or another STD? With January being national blood donor month, this question is undoubtedly on the minds of many. Whether you have herpes or another STD, or you are STD free, you might be curious about restrictions for donating blood as they relate to a donors STD status.
When donating blood, most donation centers prefer that you be as healthy as possible, and that includes being free of many viral infections ranging from the common cold to HIV. But what about other common infections, such as herpes?
The important distinction between herpes and certain other STDs, especially when compared to a virus like HIV, is that herpes is not a virus that is present in the blood. Because herpes is only communicated through direct skin-to-skin contact, the blood of a patient infected with the herpes virus cannot pass herpes to another person through a blood transfusion. However, there are still some important restrictions and stipulations for people who have herpes symptoms when it comes to donating blood.
But what about other STDs? Typically, in addition to herpes, you can donate blood if you have chlamydia or HPV, are feeling healthy and meet all other eligibility requirements.
Donating Blood With Other Stds
Hospitals and emergency treatment facilities across the United States rely on blood donations to save lives every day. However, using infected blood can cause more harm than good. Thats why, before you can donate blood, you have to undergo screening for transmissible diseases.
The screening typically involves filling out a survey that asks questions about your health. Should you provide incorrect or false information, your donated blood will still undergo screening before medical facilities use it.
What STDS do they check for when you donate blood?
CDC guidelines recommend checking donated blood for these STDs:
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Where Can I Get Answers To My Other Herpes Questions
We run a helpline answered by trained volunteers who have herpes simplex themselves. Phone 0845 123 2305. Have a pen and paper handy to jot down the times when the next volunteer is available. They are available every weekday from noon till 6 pm. Some days from 9 am until 8 pm.
You can come and talk informally and personally to Marian at the London meetings open to all see events page. They are well informed. They attend the medical Herpes Simplex Virus Panel meetings and they have the virus.
Can I Give Blood
Have an appointment booked? It is important to check you are able to donate before coming to give blood.
Sometimes it is not possible to give blood, or we may ask you to wait before donating again. Use this page to find answers to common questions you might have before your appointment.
You can also take our quick quiz to check you can give.
If you’re looking to donate for the first time, find out more about who can give blood.
Important: If you need to cancel your appointment please give us 3 days’ notice so that we can offer the space to another donor. You can reschedule or cancel your appointment in your online account.
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Life Circumstances That Mean You Cant Donate Blood
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History of injection drug use, or using needles to take any drugs that were not prescribed by your healthcare provider
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Incarceration for more than 72 consecutive hours during the previous 12 months
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Having had sex with another male in the last 3 months, if youre a male
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Taken or given money or other payment for sex in the last three 3 months
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Sexual contact with anyone who uses drug intravenously
How Do I Donate Plasma
Donating plasma is more time consuming than standard blood donation. At most plasma donation centers, a donation will take at least an hour.
The exact time will depend on the center and its policies. The American Red Cross states that an average plasma donation at one of its locations takes 1 hour and 15 minutes.
There are also normally regulations about how often you can donate plasma. This might be once a month, once every 2 weeks, or another set frequency depending on the center. Some centers might also compensate you financially for your time and donation.
The process of donating plasma is similar to other blood donations.
Youll generally be able to read, use your phone, study, or do any other activity during your donation as long as you dont move your arm and dislodge the needle.
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What Medications Will Prevent You From Donating Blood
Most over-the-counter medications will not prevent you from donating blood. If you take prescription medications, check out this list from the American Red Cross to see if you can still donate blood.
You CANT donate blood if you take the following medications:
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Prostate and hair loss medications
You CAN donate blood if you take the following medications:
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Blood pressure medications
Never stop medications prescribed by your healthcare provider in order to donate blood. Its always a good idea to keep your healthcare team in the loop if you are planning to donate blood.
Intravenous Drugs And Use Of Pharmaceutical Products Without A Doctors Prescription
The use of intravenous drugs, even just once, means you may not donate blood.
The use of intravenous pharmaceutical products without a doctors prescription, even just once, prevents you from donating blood.
If your sex partner has used intravenous drugs or other intravenous pharmaceutical products without doctors prescription, please call our information number in order to check your eligibility to donate blood.
Drug use prevents blood donation. An isolated case of trying drugs or casual use of drugs other than intravenous drugs causes a temporary, two week long obstacle to blood donation.
Would you like more information? Please call the free information number for blood donors on +358 800 0 5801 .
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How Test Accuracy Is Measure
The accuracy of all medical tests, including herpes tests, is measured based on two values: sensitivity and specificity.
Sensitivityis how often a test correctly identifies someone with a disease. A test that is 90% sensitive will correctly identify 90 people out of 100 who have the disease. Ten people will have a false-negative result.
Specificity, on the other hand, refers to a test’s ability to correctly identify someone who doesn’t have the disease. If a test is 90% specific, that means that 90 people out of 100 will be correctly diagnosed as not having a disease and that 10 people will have a false-positive result.
The higher the sensitivity and specificity, the lower the chances of a false result.
What Is Creutzfeldt
Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease is an infectious brain disease that can pass from animals to humans. The equivalent illness in cows is called Mad Cow Disease. vCJD can rarely be passed through blood transfusions. Since there is no test for vCJD, there are certain restrictions around who can donate blood in order to prevent possible transmission.
These include:
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If you were in the UK for three months or more between January 1, 1980 through December 31, 1996
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If you spent 5 years or more in France or Ireland from January 1, 1980 through December 31, 2001
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If you had blood transfusion in the UK, France, or Ireland from January 1, 1980 to present
You can find full details about vCJD and blood donation here.
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Can I Donate Blood
Donating blood is easy and our blood supply relies exclusively on the generosity of volunteer blood donors. There is no substitute for human blood. Most people qualify as a volunteer donor, even if they are taking medications. Review the eligibility criteria below and see if you can be a lifesaver too.
For information about blood donation and the Covid-19 vaccine, visit the Covid-19 and Blood Donation FAQ.
Age Matters
You may donate if you are at least 17 years old , weigh at least 110 pounds, and be in good health.
- Donors age 16-18 are also subject to additional height/weight restrictions.
- Donors age 76 and older can continue to donate blood if they meet all eligibility criteria and present a physician’s letter allowing them to donate, once at the first donation after reaching their 76th birthday. In the absence of a letter from their physician, they must be cleared by an NYBC medical director at each donation.
16 Year Old Parental/Guardian’s Permission Form
New York
7 days after taking See full list of medications that may affect your eligibility as a blood donor.
* These anti-platelet agents affect platelet function so people taking these drugs should not donate platelets for the indicated time however, you make a whole blood donation. Anyone taking Coumadin must wait 7 days after their last dose in order to be eligible for any type of donation.
Permanent Reasons
Please do not give blood if you:
Please Note:
Can I Donate Blood Blood Donor Eligibility Requirements
Key takeaways:
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To donate blood, you should be in good health, at least 17 years old, and not have an active blood infection.
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You will be asked questions about your health and travel history before you donate blood. Your blood will also be tested to make sure it’s safe for donation.
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Donor blood is used to save the lives of countless people. Trauma victims, mothers in childbirth, surgical patients, and people with cancer are just some of many people who may need donor blood.
Have you ever considered donating blood? Maybe you have, but youre worried you won’t be eligible. After all, a quick online search seems to yield pages of reasons why you may not be able to donate. Should you just assume you wont qualify to donate and throw in the towel?
Such rigid regulations around blood donation may seem like a hassle, but its key to making sure that donated blood is safe for those receiving it. And, if you are eligible to donate blood which 38 percent of Americans are youll be able to make a life-saving gift to a fellow human in need.
Most people donate whole blood but you can also donate specific parts of your blood, like platelets or plasma . In this article, well focus on whole blood donation and give you a breakdown of who can and cant donate and what to expect if you choose to donate blood.
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Can You Donate Blood If You Have Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2
HSV-2 may be worse than HSV-1, but many facilities accept blood donations from carriers of either virus. However, if you have HSV-1 or 2, you may not qualify to donate blood if you have fresh or unhealed lesions or cold sores. You can return to donate after your herpes sores have healed or 48 hours after receiving antiviral medication for the infection.
Note that antiviral medication wont cure herpes. It will only minimize the symptoms and help them dissipate faster. For example, a doctor may prescribe Imiquimod, Sinecatechins, Podofilox to relieve the blisters. Other useful antivirals for managing herpes symptoms are Famciclovir, Acyclovir, and Valacyclovir.
According to the American Red Cross, people with oral or genital herpes can donate blood as long as they meet these eligibility requirements:
- Be in general good health
- Be at least 17 years of age
- Weigh at least 110 pounds
If you still have doubts about your eligibility to donate blood, visit a Rapid STD Testing center to get tested for sexually transmitted infections . Alternately, order forsame-day STD testing online. Getting tested is especially important if you recently had unprotected sex or have any other reason to suspect that you have herpes.
After your doctor or a Rapid STD Test confirms your eligibility to donate blood, visit theRed Cross website orAABB website to find nearby places where you can donate blood.
Why Donate Plasma
Plasma donation is highly encouraged for anyone whos eligible. Plasma is key in treating a wide range of health conditions, but only a small number of people who are eligible to donate plasma become donors. There are multiple reasons plasma donation is important, including:
- Plasma is the liquid component of blood thats not white blood cells, red blood cells, or platelets. It contains antibodies, proteins, and other vital substances.
- Plasma helps blood clot.
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What You Can Do
If you’re well, you should strongly consider donating blood. Every blood donation can help save 3 lives. Even if you have a cold or are getting over the flu, you may still be able to help.
- If you don’t have a cold or the flu, visit Donateblood.com.au or call 13 14 95 to check if you’re eligible and to make an appointment.
- If you have a cold and have mild symptoms such as a runny nose but you don’t have a fever, you can still donate plasma. Plasma is the fluid that carries the red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets.
- If you have a cold or the flu, you can donate blood, as normal, 7 days after you’ve recovered from your symptoms.
- If you recently had the flu vaccination and are feeling well, you can still donate blood. Because it’s not a ‘live’ vaccine, flu vaccination does not affect blood donation.
Can I Donate Plasma After Getting Vaccinated For Covid
A COVID-19 vaccination wont prevent you from donating plasma. Youll be able to donate after a vaccination. You can also donate if youve received a COVID-19 vaccine booster.
There are only a few requirements to keep in mind after your COVID-19 vaccination. Youll be required to be symptom free and feel healthy on the day of your donation.
Youll also need to know which company manufactured the vaccine you received and provide their name to the plasma donation center. Your vaccination card lists this information. The three vaccines available in the United States are:
- Pfizer-BioNTech
- Johnson & Johnson
If you dont know who manufactured the vaccine you received, youll need to wait 2 weeks before donating plasma.
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Living In The British Isles Between 1980 And 1996
If you lived or stayed in the British Isles for over six months between 1 January 1980 and 31 December 1996, this prevents blood donation permanently . It is not likely that this donation restriction will be changed.
Would you like more information? Please call the free information number for blood donors on +358 800 0 5801 .
If You Have Zero Symptoms Getting Tested Wont Help You
The problem is that blood tests for herpes when no lesions or symptoms are present are often bullshit. I realize thats a pretty strong word, but after speaking with doctors who have administered these tests, its become more and more apparent to me how misunderstood and in some cases, just plain wrong the results they give are.
Part of the reason theyre flawed has to do with the fact that most people have been exposed to HSV-1 or oral herpes. For HSV-1, close to 100 percent of people in the U.S. are antibody-positive because they have been exposed at some point in their lives, though only a percentage of these individuals will actually get cold sores, says Adam Friedman, the residency program director at the George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences in Washington, D.C. He adds that blood tests can be misleading because they usually dont detect the herpes virus itself and instead look at the level of antibodies against the virus, which is merely a sign of immune response to it.
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