What would disqualify me from donating blood?

Understanding Blood Donation Disqualifications
Donating blood is a noble act that can save lives, but not everyone is eligible to donate. Various factors can disqualify individuals from participating in blood donation, ranging from medical conditions to lifestyle choices. Here’s a detailed look at what could prevent you from donating blood.
Medical Conditions
Certain medical conditions can lead to either temporary or permanent disqualification from donating blood. For instance, individuals with blood disorders such as hemophilia or sickle cell disease are typically ineligible due to the risks associated with their conditions. Additionally, those who have had certain infectious diseases like HIV, hepatitis B, or hepatitis C are permanently disqualified from donating blood.
Moreover, if you have recently undergone surgery or have a chronic illness, you may face a waiting period before you can donate. Conditions like cancer or autoimmune diseases can also affect your eligibility.
Medications
The medications you take can influence your ability to donate blood. While most medications do not disqualify you, some may require a waiting period after your last dose. For example, if you are on blood thinners or certain antibiotics, you should consult with your healthcare provider to determine if these medications affect your eligibility.
It’s crucial to disclose your complete medication history during the screening process, as this information helps assess your suitability for donation.
Lifestyle Factors
Your lifestyle choices can also impact your eligibility. Engaging in high-risk behaviors, such as intravenous drug use or having multiple sexual partners without protection, can lead to disqualification due to the increased risk of transmitting infections.
Additionally, recent travel to areas with endemic diseases, such as malaria or Zika virus, may temporarily disqualify you from donating blood. The waiting period varies depending on the disease and the region visited.
Health Metrics
Certain health metrics are also evaluated during the donation process. For instance, your blood pressure must be within acceptable limits—below 180 systolic and 100 diastolic—at the time of donation. If your blood pressure is too high or too low, you may be deferred from donating.
Conclusion
In summary, while many individuals can donate blood, various factors can disqualify you, including medical conditions, medications, lifestyle choices, and health metrics. If you’re considering donating blood, it’s essential to be honest about your health and medication history during the screening process. If you have any doubts about your eligibility, consulting with a healthcare provider can provide clarity and guidance. Remember, even if you have been disqualified in the past, changes in your health status may make you eligible to donate in the future.

What disqualifies people from donating blood?

You cannot donate if you…

• Do not feel well on day of donation.
• Have had cold or flu symptoms less than 48 hours prior to donation.
• Are or have been pregnant in the last 6 weeks or currently breast feeding.
• Had malaria within the last 3 years.

Why would you be rejected from giving blood?

Activities include: Nonprescription injection drug use. Engagement in sex for money or drugs. New sexual partner or more than one sexual partner in the last 3 months and engaged in anal sex in the last 3 months.

What reasons can you not donate blood?

Please do not give blood if you:

• Have ever had a positive test for HIV (AIDS virus)
• Are a hemophiliac.
• Had viral hepatitis B or hepatitis C.
• Had certain forms of cancer (contact us regarding medical eligibility at 800.688. 0900)

What medications disqualify you from donating blood?

The following medications will prevent you from donating blood:

• Accutane.
• Antibiotics *Donors who are taking antibiotics are eligible to donate 24 hours after their last dose.
• Anti-Platelet Medications.
• Avodart.
• Blood thinners (such as Coumadin, Heparin, Lovenox, Warfarin)
• Bovine insulin.
• Hepatitis B Immune Globulin.

How to get disqualified from donating blood?

Some Conditions That Disqualify People From Donating Blood

1. Non-prescription injection drug use.
2. Engaged in sex for money or drugs.
3. New sexual partner or more than one sexual partner in the last 3 months and engaged in anal sex in the last 3 months.
4. Sexual contact with a person who has ever had a positive HIV test.

Why was I deferred from donating blood?

People may be deferred from donation if they have a history of cancer, bleeding conditions or blood disease. Potential donors should contact their local blood collector to discuss their eligibility.

What drugs disqualify you from donating blood?

Key takeaways:

• You may be disqualified from donating blood, or specific parts of your blood, depending on medications you take.
• Common medication examples are isotretinoin (Accutane, Absorica, Claravis), finasteride (Proscar, Propecia), and blood thinners like warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven).

What is the condition that you Cannot donate blood?

Some Conditions That Disqualify People From Donating Blood

Condition	Permanent or Temporary Disqualification
Hepatitis B or C infection	Permanent
Hepatitis, exposure to	Temporary
High blood pressure	Temporary
Possible exposure to prion diseases, such as variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (also called mad cow disease)	Permanent

What bans you from donating blood?

You can’t donate blood if any of these general health issues apply to you:

• Fever (above 99.5°F) or an acute infection at the time of donation, or feel unwell, have a cold, flu, or trouble breathing.
• Pregnancy.
• High blood pressure reading (top number above 180, or bottom number above 100)

What causes blood to be rejected?

Low blood pressure (13.6%), cupping (11.6%) and less hours of sleep in the night prior to donation (5.8%) were the major causes of rejection in this study.