Acupuncture
Donors who have undergone acupuncture treatments are acceptable
as long as the donor can confirm that the needles used in the
treatment were sterile. Donors who cannot confirm that sterile
needles were used in the acupuncture treatment are deferred from
donating for 12 months. Back to Top
Age
You must be at least 17 years old to donate to the general blood
supply, or 16 years old if allowed by state law. Learn
more about the reasons for a lower age limit. There is no
upper age limit for blood donation as long as you are well with
no restrictions or limitations to your activities. Back
to Top
Allergy, Stuffy Nose, Itchy Eyes, Dry Cough
Acceptable as long as you feel well, have no fever, and have no
problems breathing through your mouth. Back
to Top
Antibiotics
Acceptable after finishing antibiotics for an infection (bacterial
or viral). Acceptable if you are taking antibiotics to prevent
an infection, for example, following dental procedures or for
acne. Antibiotics for acne do not disqualify you from donating.
If you have a temperature above 99.5 F, you may not donate until
the fever is passed. Back
to Top
Aspirin
See “Medications” Back
to Top
Asthma
Acceptable as long as you are not having difficulty breathing
at the time of donation and you otherwise feel well. Medications
for asthma do not disqualify you from donating. Back
to Top
Auto immune Diseases
You are not eligible to donate if you have some types of generalized
auto immune disease such as multiple sclerosis. Back
to Top
Birth Control
Women taking birth control pills are acceptable. Back
to Top
Blood Pressure, High
Acceptable as long as your blood pressure is below 180 systolic
(first number) and below 100 diastolic (second number) at the
time of donation. Medications for high blood pressure do not disqualify
you from donating. Back to Top
Blood Pressure, Low
Acceptable as long as you feel well when you come to donate. If
your blood pressure normally runs low, it may be more difficult
for your body to adjust to the volume loss following donation,
especially if you are dehydrated. Drinking extra water before
and after donation is important. Back to Top
Blood Transfusion
Wait for 12 months after receiving a blood transfusion from another
person in the United States. You may not donate if you received
a transfusion since 1980 in the United Kingdom (England, Wales,
Scotland, Northern Ireland, Channel Islands, Isle of Man), Gibraltar
or Falkland Islands. This requirement is related to concerns about
variant CJD, or 'mad cow' disease. Learn
more about variant CJD and blood donation. Back
to Top
Cancer
Acceptable if the cancer was treated with only surgery or radiation,
and it has been at least 5 years since treatment was completed
with no cancer recurrence. If your cancer was treated with chemotherapy,
hormonal therapy or immunotherapy, you are not eligible to donate.
If you had leukemia or lymphoma, including Hodgkin's Disease,
you are not eligible to donate. Some low-risk cancers including
squamous or basal cell cancers of the skin do not require a 5
year waiting period.
Precancerous
conditions of the uterine cervix do not disqualify you from donation
if the abnormality has been treated successfully.
You should
discuss your particular situation with the health historian at
the time of donation.Back to Top
Cholesterol, high
Acceptable. Medications to lower the cholesterol level do not
disqualify you from donating.Back to Top
Chronic Illnesses
Most chronic illnesses are acceptable as long as you feel well,
the condition is under good control, you have an adequate hemoglobin
level and your temperature is normal when you come to donate.
Chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis,
hypothyroidism, ulcerative colitis and Crohn's Disease do not
automatically disqualify you from donating. You should discuss
your condition with the health historian at the time of donation.
Back to Top
Clotting Disorders
If your blood does not clot normally, you should not donate since
you may have excessive bleeding where the needle was placed. For
the same reason, if you are taking any "blood thinner" (such as
coumadin or heparin) you should not donate. If you are on aspirin,
it is OK to donate blood. However, you must be off of aspirin
for at least 36 hours in order donate platelets by apheresis.
Back to Top
Cold, Flu, Sore Throat
Wait if you have a fever or a productive cough (bringing up phlegm)
Wait if you feel unwell on the day of donation.
Wait until you have completed antibiotic treatment for sinus,
throat or lung infection.Back to Top
Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD)
If you ever received a corneal (eye) transplant, a dura mater
(brain covering) transplant or human pituitary growth hormone,
you are not eligible to donate. Those who have a close blood relative
who had Creutzfeld-Jacob disease or who is in a family that has
been told they have a genetic risk for Creutzfeld-Jacob disease
are also not eligible to donate. Learn
more about CJD. Back to Top
Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, Variant (vCJD); "Mad Cow Disease"
See under Travel Outside of U.S. Learn
more about vCJD and blood donation. Back
to Top
Dental Procedures
Acceptable after teeth cleaning, scaling, root canal, fillings
and tooth extractions as long as there is no infection present.
Wait for 3 days after having other types of oral surgery. Wait
until finishing antibiotics for a dental infection. Back
to Top
Depression, Anxiety
Acceptable as long as you feel well and comfortable with the blood
donation process. Medications for depression or anxiety do not
disqualify you from donating. Back to Top
Diabetes mellitus
Acceptable two weeks after starting insulin.
Medications to lower your glucose level do not disqualify you
from donating. Those who since 1980, received an injection of
bovine (beef) insulin made from cattle from the United Kingdom
are not eligible to donate. This requirement is related to concerns
about variant CJD, or 'mad cow' disease. Learn
more about variant CJD and blood donation. Back
to Top
Donation Intervals
Wait at least 8 weeks between whole blood (standard) donations.
Wait at least 3 days between plateletpheresis donations.
Wait at least 16 weeks between double red cell (automated) donations.
Back to Top
Epilepsy, Seizures
Acceptable as long as you have been seizure-free for the last
3 months. Medications for seizures do not disqualify you from
donating. Back to Top
Heart Disease
In general , acceptable as long as you have no restrictions on
your physical activities, take no medications for heart disease
other than aspirin, and have no current ( within the last 6 months)
heart-related symptoms such as chest pain.
Wait at least 6 months following an episode of angina.
Wait at least 6 months following a heart attack.
Wait at least 6 months after bypass surgery or angioplasty.
If you have a pacemaker, you may donate as long as your pulse
is between 50 and 100 beats per minute with no more than a small
number of irregular beats, and you meet the other heart disease
criteria. You should discuss your particular situation with the
health historian at the time of donation. Back
to Top
Heart Murmur, Heart Valve Disorder
Acceptable if you have a heart murmur as long as you have not
had symptoms in the last 6 months, have no restrictions on your
physical activity and are not taking any medications for heart
disease other than prophylactic antibiotics (to prevent infections)
or aspirin. Back to Top
Hemochromatosis
American Red Cross does not accept individuals with hemochromatosis
as blood donors for other persons at this time. Red Cross will
continually re-evaluate this policy as more information accumulates.
Back to Top
Hemoglobin, Hematocrit, Blood Count
Acceptable if you have a hemoglobin at or above 12.5 g/dL.
Acceptable if you have a hematocrit at or above 38%. Back
to Top
Hepatitis, Jaundice
If you had hepatitis (inflammation of the liver) caused by a virus,
or unexplained jaundice (yellow discoloration of the skin), since
age 11, you are not eligible to donate blood. This includes those
who had hepatitis with infectious mononucleosis.
Acceptable
if you had jaundice or hepatitis caused by something other than
a viral infection, for example: medications, Gilbert's disease,
bile duct obstruction, alcohol, gallstones or trauma to the liver.
If you ever
tested positive for hepatitis B or hepatitis C , at any age, you
are not eligible to donate, even if you were never sick or jaundiced
from the infection. Back to Top
Hepatitis Exposure
Wait 12 months after close contact with someone who is sick with
viral hepatitis. Close contact is defined as sexual contact or
sharing the same household, kitchen, dormitory, or toilet facilities.
Wait 12 months
after detention in a correctional institution, juvenile facility,
lock-up or residence in a long-term psychiatric institution.
Wait 12 months
after receiving a blood transfusion (unless it was your own "autologous"
blood, blood injections, tattoo, non-sterile needle stick/body
piercing or exposure to someone else's blood.
Wait 12 months
following a human bite, if it broke the skin. Back
to Top
Herpes
Acceptable as long as you are feeling well. Back
to Top
HIV, AIDS
Those who are at increased risk for becoming infected with HIV
are not eligible to donate blood. According to the Food and Drug
Administration, you are at increased risk if:
- you are
a male who has had sex with another male since 1977, even once;
- you have
ever used a needle, even once, to take drugs or steroids that
were not prescribed by a physician;
- you have
taken clotting factor concentrates for a bleeding disorder such
as hemophilia;
- you were
born in or lived in Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad,
Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Niger, or Nigeria since 1977
(This requirement is related to concerns about HIV Group O.
Learn
more about HIV Group O.)
- you have
taken drugs or money in exchange for sex since 1977;
- you have
ever had a positive test for HIV virus;
- you have
symptoms of HIV infection including unexplained weight loss,
night sweats, blue or purple spots on or under the skin, long-lasting
white spots or unusual sores in your mouth, lumps in your neck,
armpits, or groin that last more than a month, fever higher
than 99 degrees that lasts more than 10 days, diarrhea lasting
over a month, or persistent cough and shortness of breath;
Wait for
12 months after close contact with someone who is at an increased
risk for HIV infection. This occurs when paying to have sex, as
a result of rape, or when having sex with an IV drug user. Back
to Top
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRP)
Women on hormone replacement therapy for menopausal symptoms and
prevention of osteoporosis are eligible to donate. Back
to Top
Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)
See “Venereal Diseases” Back
to Top
Hypertension, High Blood Pressure
See “Blood Pressure, High Back
to Top
Immunization, Vaccination
Acceptable if you were vaccinated for influenza, tetanus or meningitis,
providing you are symptom-free and fever-free.
Wait 4 weeks
after immunizations for German Measles (Rubella), MMR (Measles,
Mumps and Rubella) and Chicken Pox.
Wait 2 weeks
after immunizations for Red Measles (Rubeola), Mumps, Polio (by
mouth), and Yellow Fever vaccine.
Wait 7 days
after immunization for Hepatitis B as long as you are not given
the immunization for exposure to hepatitis B.
- Smallpox
vaccination and did not develop complications
Wait 2 months (60 days) from the date of having a smallpox vaccination
as long as you have had no complications. Complications may
include skin reactions beyond the vaccination site or general
illness related to the vaccination.
- Smallpox
vaccination and developed complications
Wait 14 days after all vaccine complications have resolved or
2 months (60 days) from the date of having had the smallpox
vaccination whichever is the longer period of time. You should
discuss your particular situation with the health historian
at the time of donation. Complications may include skin reactions
beyond the vaccination site or general illness related to the
vaccination.
- Smallpox
vaccination – close contact with someone who has had the smallpox
vaccine in the last eight weeks and you did not develop any
skin lesions or other symptoms.
Eligible to donate.
- Smallpox
vaccination – close contact with someone who has had the vaccine
in the last eight weeks and you have since a developed localized
skin lesion only
Wait 2 months (60 days) from the date of the first skin lesion
or sore. You should discuss your particular situation with the
health historian at the time of donation. Complications may
include skin reactions or general illness related to the exposure.
- Smallpox
vaccination – close contact with someone who has had the vaccine
in the last eight weeks and you have since developed localized
skin lesions and other complications
Wait 14 days after all vaccine complications have resolved or
2 months (60 days) from the date of the first symptom whichever
is the longer period of time. You should discuss your particular
situation with the health historian at the time of donation.
Complications may include skin reactions or general illness
related to the exposure. Back to Top
Infections
If you have a fever or an active infection, wait until the infection
has passed before donating blood.
Wait until
finished taking antibiotics for an infection (bacterial or viral).
Infections
with common herpes virus (cold sores or genital herpes) and Human
Papilloma Virus (HPV) are acceptable as long as you feel well
and do not have a fever.
Those who
have had infections with Chagas Disease, babesiosis or leishmaniasis
are not eligible to donate blood.
See also
Antibiotics, Infectious
Mononucleosis, Hepatitis, HIV,
Syphilis/Gonorrhea, and Tuberculosis.
Back to Top
Infectious Mononucleosis, "Mono"
Acceptable if you had infectious mononucleosis ("mono") once the
infection has passed, as long as you did not have hepatitis with
the mononucleoisis. Back to Top
Intravenous Drug Use
Those who have ever used IV drugs that were not prescribed by
a physician are not eligible to donate. This requirement is related
to concerns about hepatitis and HIV. Learn
more about hepatitis and blood donation. Back
to Top
Lyme disease
If this is a chronic condition you cannot donate. If you were
treated with antibiotics and completely recovered, you can donate
12 months after the last dose of antiobiotics was taken. Back
to Top
Malaria
Wait 3 years after completing treatment for malaria. Wait 12 months
after returning from a trip to an area where malaria is found.
Wait 3 years after moving to the United States after living in
a country where malaria is found. Learn
more about malaria and blood donation. Back
to Top
Marijuana, "Weed", "Pot", "Ganga"
Acceptable as long as you are not under the influence of marijuana
at the time of donation. Back to Top
Medications In almost all cases, medications will not disqualify
you as a blood donor. Your eligibility will be based on the reason
that the medication was prescribed. As long as the condition is
under control and you are healthy, blood donation is usually permitted.
There are
a handful of drugs that are of special significance in blood donation.
Persons on these drugs have waiting periods following their last
dose before they can donate blood:
- Accutane
(isoretinoin), Proscar (finasteride), and Propecia (finasteride)
- wait 4 weeks.
- Avodart
(dutasteride) - wait 6 months from the last dose.
- Aspirin,
no waiting period for donating blood. However you must wait
48 hours after taking aspirin or any medication containing aspirin
before donating platelets by apheresis.
- Chemotherapy-type
drugs used for conditions other than cancer ( examples: bleomycin,
interferon, methotrexate) - wait 4 weeks from last dose.
- Coumadin,
heparin or other prescription blood thinners- you should not
donate since your blood will not clot normally. If your doctor
discontinues your treatment with blood thinners, wait 5 days
before returning to donate.
- Human pituitary-derived
growth hormone at any time - you are not eligible to donate
blood.
- Lupron
used for condition other than cancer - wait 4 months from last
dose.
- Plavix
- wait 48 hours after taking this medication before donating
platelets by apheresis.
- Soriatane
(acitretin) - wait 3 years.
- Tegison
(etretinate) at any time - you are not eligible to donate blood.
- Ticlid
- wait 48 hours after taking this medication before donating
platelets by apheresis.
If you ever
took Tegison (etretinate), you are not eligible to donate blood.
If you ever took human pituitary-derived growth hormone, you are
not eligible to donate blood. If you take aspirin, you can donate
blood. However you must wait 48 hours after taking aspirin or
any medication containing aspirin before donating platelets by
apheresis. If you take Ticlid or Plavix, wait 48 hours after taking
these medications before donating platelets by apheresis. If you
are taking prescription blood thinners such as Coumadin or heparin,
you should not donate since your blood will not clot normally.
If your doctor discontinues your treatment with blood thinners,
wait 5 days before returning to donate. Back
to Top
Menstruation
Women may donate during their period if feeling well on the day
of donation. Back to Top
Organ/Tissue Transplants
Wait 12 months after receiving an organ or tissue transplant from
another person. This includes bone and dental powder. If you are
taking medications to prevent rejection of the organ or tissue
you are not eligible to donate.
If you ever
received a corneal (eye) transplant or a dura mater (brain covering)
transplant, you are not eligible to donate. This requirement is
related to concerns about the brain disease, Creutzfeld-Jacob
Disease (CJD). Learn
more about CJD and blood donation. Back
to Top
Piercing (ears, body), Electrolysis
Acceptable as long as the instruments used were sterile, one time
use.
Wait 12 months
if there is any question whether or not the instruments used were
sterile and free of blood contamination. This requirement is related
to concerns about hepatitis. Learn
more about hepatitis and blood donation. Back
to Top
Pregnancy, Nursing
Persons who are pregnant are not eligible to donate. Wait 6 weeks
after giving birth. Acceptable if you are nursing, or recently
had an elective abortion. Back to Top
Sexually Transmitted Disease
Wait 12 months after treatment for syphilis or gonorrhea. Back
to Top
Sickle Cell
Acceptable if you have sickle cell trait. Those with sickle cell
disease are not eligible to donate. Back to
Top
Skin Disease, Rash, Acne
Acceptable as long as the skin over the vein to be used to collect
blood is not affected. If the skin disease has become infected,
wait until the infection has cleared before donating. Taking antibiotics
to control acne does not disqualify you from donating. Back
to Top
Surgery
Acceptable once the wound is healed and stitches are dissolved
or removed, as long as the underlying condition is also acceptable
in a blood donor. Wait 2 days after having stitches or staples
for lacerations. If a laceration has become infected, wait until
the infection has cleared before donating. Wait 12 months if you
had a blood transfusion from another person during surgery. Back
to Top
Syphilis/Gonorrhea
Wait 12 months after being treated for syphilis or gonorrhea.
Back to Top
Tattoo
Wait 12 months after a tattoo. This requirement is related to
concerns about hepatitis. Learn
more about hepatitis and blood donation. Back
to Top
Tuberculosis
Acceptable if you have a positive skin test for tuberculosis,
or if you are receiving antibiotics for a positive TB skin test
only. If you are being treated for a tuberculosis infection, wait
until treatment is successfully completed before donating. Back
to Top
Travel Outside of U.S., Immigration
Wait 12 months after travel in an area where malaria is found.
Wait 3 years after moving to the United States after living in
a country where malaria is found. Persons who have spent long
periods of time in countries where "mad cow disease" is found
are not eligible to donate. This requirement is related to concerns
about variant Creutzfeld Jacob Disease (vCJD). Learn
more about vCJD and donation. Persons who were born in or
who lived in certain countries in Western Africa, or who have
had close contact with persons who were born in or who lived in
certain West African countries are not eligible to donate. This
requirement is related to concerns about HIV Group O. Learn
more about HIV Group O, and the specific African countries where
it is found. Back to Top
Venereal Diseases
See also “Sexually Transmitted Disease”
Wait 12 months after treatment for syphilis or gonorrhea. Back
to Top
Weight
You must weigh at least 110 Lbs to be eligible for blood donation
for your own safety. Blood volume is in proportion to body weight.
Donors who weight less than 110Lbs may not tolerate the removal
of the required volume of blood as well as those who weigh more
than 110Lbs. There is no upper weight limit as long as your weight
is not higher than the weight limit of the donor bed/lounge you
are using. You can discuss any upper weight limitations of beds
and lounges with your local health historian. Back
to Top
Last
updated: 9/16/04
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