With this limit in mind, many people with high blood pressure will still be able to donate blood, because high . Considervolunteeringorhosting a blood drivethrough the Red Cross. You can call 866-236-3276 to speak with an eligibility specialist about your travel. Blood typing is a test that determines a persons blood type, and it's key if you need a blood transfusion or are planning to donate blood. However, you must wait 2 days after taking Feldene (piroxicam) before donating platelets by apheresis. If your blood does not clot normally, you can not donate since you may have excessive bleeding where the needle was placed. It is not necessarily surgery but the underlying condition that precipitated the surgery that requires evaluation before donation. This results in concentrations in the body that are comparable to those achieved with IV acyclovir. 2022. Yes, you can donate blood even if you have herpes but only if youre not having an outbreak of symptoms and if its been more than 48 hours since you finished an antiviral treatment. Finasteride and dutasteride Proscar and Propecia are both brand-name medications that contain finasteride. Heres an overview of when its OK to donate blood: Still not sure if youre eligible to donate blood? In-Depth Discussion of Age and Blood Donation, Those younger than age 17 are almost always legal minors (not yet of the age of majority) who cannot give consent by themselves to donate blood. Your gift enables the Red Cross to ensure an ongoing blood supply, provide humanitarian support to families in need and prepare communities by teaching lifesaving skills. Vismodegib and sonidegib are used for basal cell skin cancer. Cellcept (mycophenolate mofetil) capsules, for oral use. There is no risk of contracting COVID-19 from a blood, A transfusion reaction is when your body has an adverse response to a blood transfusion. If your result does not meet the minimum/maximum requirement at the time of your attempted donation you will not be permitted to donate. If the skin disease has become infected, wait until the infection has cleared before donating. People may need blood when they have surgery, cancer treatment, or transfusions for blood loss from injuries or accidents. More research is needed to verify whether HPV can be spread through blood. There is no upper age limit for blood donation as long as you are well with no restrictions or limitations to your activities. Learn more about the different types of blood, including which one is the rarest and the role of genetics, Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. Currently, the only states that DO NOT regulate tattoo facilities are: District of Columbia, Georgia, Idaho, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, Utah and Wyoming. Cladel NM, et al. At Mayo Clinic donor centers, you'll have access to wireless internet, a television and movies during the donation process. Aspirin, no waiting period for donating whole blood. In general, acceptable as long as you have been medically evaluated and treated, have no current (within the last 6 months) heart related symptoms such as chest pain and have no limitations or restrictions on your normal daily activities. If your doctor discontinues your treatment with blood thinners, wait 7 days before returning to donate. Whether you can donate blood if you have HPV isnt conclusive. When you donate blood, you're helping others and giving back to your community. The .gov means its official. Common reasons include: If youre planning to donate blood but youre not sure if youre healthy enough, ask your doctor. View complete list of side effects. New donors must donate plasma within 6 months before a donation can be used. You must be in good health and able to pass the physical and a confidential health-history assessment to help make sure blood donation is safe for both you and the recipient of the blood. have used needles to take any drugs, steroids, or anything not prescribed by your doctor in the last 3 months, are a male who has had sexual contact with another male, in the last 3 months, have taken money, drugs or other payment for sex in the last 3 months, have had sexual contact in the past 3 months with anyone described above. Take valacyclovir exactly as directed by your doctor and for the exact time prescribed, even if your symptoms improve. Wait 2 weeks if you were vaccinated with a COVID-19 vaccine but do not know if it was a non-replicating, inactivated, RNA based vaccine or a live attenuated vaccine. In almost all cases, medications will not disqualify you as a blood donor. If you have a fever or an active infection, wait until the infection has resolved completely before donating blood. An additional waiting period of 3 years is required if you have traveled to an area where malaria is found if you have not lived a consecutive 3 years in a country or countries where malaria is not found. Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Eastern time), Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Eastern time). Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use valacyclovir only for the indication prescribed. Wait at least 16 weeks between Power Red (automated) donations. Get in touch with a local organization like a nonprofit or charity that coordinates blood donations in your area. These high-risk groups include: Your medical record is viewed only as needed by Mayo Clinic Blood Program nurses and physicians. The Mayo Clinic Blood Donor Program, along with other blood donor centers, is experiencing the effects of a nationwide blood shortage. Some states allow legal minors to donate with parental permission. Travel to some countries may make you ineligible to donate blood for varying periods of time, depending on whether certain diseases, such as malaria, are common in the country visited. Medically reviewed by Carmen Fookes, BPharm. At other times, always use a condom, because herpes can be transmitted in the absence of symptoms. You can also donate blood if you have: Asthma if it's well treated, with no current shortness of breath Diabetes if it's well treated with diet and/or medications Last updated on March 7, 2022. Platelets are small, tiny cell fragments that form clots to stop you from bleeding. Both whole blood donation and apheresis are available, which gives you options as far as the length and frequency of your donations. Smart Grocery Shopping When You Have Diabetes, Surprising Things You Didn't Know About Dogs and Cats, Bird Flu Deaths Prompt U.S. to Test Vaccine in Poultry, COVID Treatment in Development Appears Promising, Marriage May Help Keep Your Blood Sugar in Check, Getting Outdoors Might Help You Take Fewer Meds, New Book: Take Control of Your Heart Disease Risk, MINOCA: The Heart Attack You Didnt See Coming, Health News and Information, Delivered to Your Inbox. Youve been exposed to hepatitis B or received hepatitis B immune globulin, or, Youve taken experimental medications or vaccines as part of a clinical trial, Growth hormone from human pituitary gland, Insulin from cows (known as bovine insulin) that came from the United Kingdom. Still not sure if you can donate blood because of another limitation or condition? You must be at least 17 years old to donate to the general blood supply, or 16 years old with parental/guardian consent, if allowed by state law. You should refer to the prescribing information for valacyclovir for a complete list of interactions. Weigh up the risks versus benefits of treatment because acyclovir (the active form of valacyclovir) crosses the placenta into the unborn child. Individuals with questions about their donation eligibility can contact the Red Cross Donor and Client Support Center at 1-866-236-3276. To donate, you must be symptom-free from cold, flu or fever on the day of donation. Wash your hands frequently. The cycle is repeated a few times till enough plasma is collected. (Each state determines its own age of majority, which can be different for different activities.). However, you must wait 2 full days after taking aspirin or any medication containing aspirin before donating platelets by apheresis. Valacyclovir is used to treat infections caused by herpes and varicella-zoster viruses, such as genital herpes, cold sores, shingles, and chickenpox. Most cases are temporary and go away on their own without any treatment. Considervolunteeringorhosting a blood drivethrough the Red Cross. Those who have had infections with Chagas Disease or Leishmaniasis are not eligible to donate. Wait 3 months after receiving any type of organ transplant from another person. An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of the medications; however, sometimes it does. Anticoagulants, or blood thinners, prevent blood from clotting. It takes about 1 hour to donate blood. This will prevent the spread of infection. It is not on their list of medicines that you are unable to donate if you take. Forbes added that donating blood after getting a shot will not impact the efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine. This requirement is related to concerns about hepatitis and HIV. No. And even if HPV is spread through a donation, it may not be a type thats dangerous, or it could be a type thatll eventually go away on its own. Apheresis takes up to two hours, which is longer than it takes to donate whole blood. Acceptable after finishing oral antibiotics for an infection (bacterial or viral). Wearing loose clothing may help prevent a shingles rash from becoming irritated. Individualson oral contraceptives or using other forms of birth control are eligible to donate. Those who have tested positive for COIVD-19 antibodies but didn't have a diagnostic test and never developed symptoms can donate without a waiting period or having a diagnostic test done before donation. Other prescription blood thinners not listed, call 866-236-3276 to speak with an eligibility specialist about your individual situation. The length of time you must wait to donate will depend on the requirements of the plasma donation site and the type of antibiotic. The Blood Donor Program welcomes regular and repeat healthy donors so that it has a steady blood supply for people in need. People who meet blood donation criteria can donate whole blood every 56 days (8 weeks). Illness Deferrals Information About Medications Persons under the age of 17 may, however, donate blood for their own use, in advance of scheduled surgery or in situations where their blood has special medical value for a particular patient such as a family member. Cosmetic tattoos (including microblading of eyebrows only) applied in a licensed establishment in a regulated state using sterile needles and ink that is not reused is acceptable. Eating the right things before you donate blood can reduce your risk for side effects. Read more about the national blood shortage. Lower risk in-situ cancers including squamous or basal cell cancers of the skin that have been completely removed and healed do not require a 12-month waiting period. Dont donate if you have: If you have side effects from the COVID-19 vaccine, wait until they go away. Please tell us if you: DO NOT discontinue medications prescribed or recommended by your physicians in order to donate blood. You can download thetravel form and bring it with you to help in the assessment of your travel. Its also worth knowing a few of the details of when you can or cant donate blood, and if you have a temporary infection or condition that may make you unable to donate. You can donate plasma every two days, and no more than twice in a 7-day period. sore throat, cough, runny nose or diarrhoea for at least 1 week. For the same reason, do not donate if you are taking any "blood thinner" such as: If you are on aspirin, it is OK to donate whole blood. If you have traveled or lived in a malaria-risk country, a waiting period is required before you can donate blood. The risk is higher in people with kidney disease and those receiving higher than the recommended dosage of valacyclovir. You are aged between 18 and 65. However, you must wait 7 days after takingBrilinta (ticagrelor) before donating platelets by apheresis. What pain medication can I take with Brilinta? It may take up to three days before a reduction in symptoms occurs. Over-the-counter oral homeopathic medications, herbal remedies, and nutritional supplements are acceptable. Drugs.com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products. If your doctor discontinues your treatment with these blood thinners, wait 2 days before returning to donate. We know your time is valuable, and it's important to us that your donor experience is a positive one. Brilinta vs Plavix: what's the difference? Amnesteem, Absorica, Claravis, Myorisan, Zenatane (. There is no substitute for human blood all transfusions use blood from a donor. Human cadaveric pituitary-derived hGH was available in the U.S. from 1958 to 1985. Blood donation is a simple act that can save lives. Acceptable if you received an HPV Vaccine (example, Gardasil). Medically reviewed by Sally Chao, MD. According to American Red Cross guidelines, people can donate blood as long as their blood pressure is between 90/50 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) and 80/100 mm Hg. Donated red blood cells can be stored for use for up to 42 days. Consider volunteering,or hosting a blood drivethrough the Red Cross. Resistant strains of HSV and VZV have been reported. Will Giving Blood Reduce My COVID-19 Antibodies? Best started within 24-48 hours of symptom onset. Highly selective for thymidine kinase encoded by HSV and VZV viruses which converts acyclovir to acyclovir monophosphate, which is then converted to the diphosphate, then to the active triphosphate. There are other ways to give. Common medications such as those used to control blood pressure, birth control pills and over-the-counter medications do not affect your eligibility. Those with sickle cell disease are not eligible to donate. Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development, Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education, Platelet, double red cell and plasma donations, Authorization to Release Protected Health Information, Read more about the national blood shortage. If you plan to donate blood, its important to know that theres no risk of getting the COVID-19 infection from the procedure. Herpes infections are highly contagious and you should cover your rash and avoid intimate contact. We avoid using tertiary references. A simple blood donation can save the life of a child with leukemia, restore the strength of a cancer patient or provide a critical transfusion to an accident victim. Individuals with low blood volumes may not tolerate the removal of the required volume of blood given with whole blood donation. Acceptable if you have sickle cell trait. You weigh at least 110 lbs. Donating blood is safe and easy to do. Canadian standards for blood donation dictates that 17 is the earliest age at which you can donate blood. Wait at least 6 months after a change in your heart condition that resulted in a change to your medications. During the appointment, donors will complete a brief health questionnaire with a Mayo Clinic health care professional to make sure blood donation is safe for both the donor and the recipient of the blood. Includes the Tdap vaccine. For recurrent episodes of genital herpes, therapy should be initiated within 24 hours of the onset of signs or symptoms; efficacy has not been proven if started after this time. Discard any unused portion after 28 days. Please tell us if you: If you ever received a dura mater (brain covering) transplant you are not eligible to donate. Valacyclovir is better absorbed than acyclovir. Herpes Simplex, Mucocutaneous/Immunocompetent Host, https://www.drugs.com/pro/valacyclovir.html. So, if you are currently taking medication and want to know if you can give blood, check the top 40 acceptable and unacceptable medications first. Wait 10 days after the last antibiotic injection for an infection. Acceptable as long as you feel well, have no fever, and have no problems breathing through your mouth. Blood donation steps include:. Last updated on March 31, 2022. Please consider donating plasma again! Discuss your particular situation with the health historian at the time of donation. Yes. Cellcept (mycophenolate mofetil) an immunosuppressant wait 6 weeks. Pursuing basic and translational research across 9 programs and 100+ labs, Focusing on clinical cancer research and population health, Bridging the lab and the clinic through translational research, Fostering interdisciplinary collaborations between laboratory scientists and clinicians, Partnering with other academic and research institutions, Offering state-of-the-art resources for our researchers, Offering a curriculum with a focus on cancer, Connecting college seniors to future careers in biomedicine, 2023 Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Human Oncology & Pathogenesis Program (HOPP), Gerstner Sloan Kettering Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, High school & undergraduate summer programs, General Blood & Platelet Donor Guidelines, Restrictions Related to International Travel & Immigration, Other Factors That May Affect Blood/Platelet Donations, Hours and Our Location: Donating Blood and Platelets at MSK, Heparin, low molecular weight heparin (unless listed separately). If you've recently gotten a tattoo, traveled abroad or take medications . According to the eligibility guidelines set by the FDA, if you qualify to donate. If you are taking valacyclovir for genital herpes or cold sores avoid sexual contact until you have finished the course of treatment. Wait if you do not feel well on the day of donation. Drugs that can harm an unborn baby (fetus) belong to different classes of medications and treat different health issues. If you have not been vaccinated or it has been less than 4 weeks since being vaccinated, wait 4 weeks from the date of the vaccination or exposure before donating. Convalescent plasma contains antibodies that your body builds after a viral infection to fight off the illness. It's common to be nervous about donating blood if you've never done it before. Here are some resources you can use to figure out whether you can donate blood: Wondering if you have herpes and want to know before you donate blood? Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. As long as youre not actively infected or the virus has left your body, you can donate blood. Age. Your immune system will quickly replace the antibodies. Not have had any symptoms of infection e.g. There are some restrictions on who can donate blood, and you may be wondering can I donate blood if I'm taking medication? With cancer, where you get treated first matters. If youve had COVID-19 and want to give convalescent plasma, the rules are a bit different. Allergy, Stuffy Nose, Itchy Eyes, Dry Cough. Be 17 years of age or older, or 16 with parental consent. If you have traveled outside of the United States and Canada, your travel destinations will be reviewed at the time of donation. If youve had the COVID-19 vaccine, your antibody levels wont go down after you give blood. You can also help peoplefacing emergencies by making a financial donationto support the Red Crosss greatest needs. Although valacyclovir treats viruses, it is not effective against the flu or the common cold. Wait 3 years after completing treatment for malaria. Blood is a lot more complex than it looks. The easiest way to lookup drug information, identify pills, check interactions and set up your own personal medication records. IF you plan to donate in any other state, call 1-800-RED CROSS for more information. But there are a few precautions you should keep in mind. If you're taking antibiotics, you must complete the course before donating. Monkeypox infection or exposure, wait a minimum of 21 days, then contact the Red Cross Donor and Client Support Center at 1-866-236-3276 to discuss your particular situation to determine if you can donate. The inventory of donated blood must be constantly replenished. (2019). Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below. If you received an injection of cadaveric pituitary human growth hormone (hGH) you cannot donate.