Basic Requirements

1. Be in generally good health and feeling well
2. Weigh at least 110 pounds
3. Be 17 years of age - there is no upper limit
4. There may be additional requirements for some apheresis donations

Donation Frequency

1. Whole blood donors may donate every 56 days
2. Platelet donors may donate every 48 hours
3. Plasma donors may donate every 4 weeks
4. Red cell apheresis donors may donate every 112 days

Individuals at risk for AIDS must not donate blood

Do not donate blood if you have ever tested positive for HIV or if:

1. You have ever injected yourself with drugs not prescribed by a physician
2. You are a man and have had sex with another man since 1977, even once
3. You have hemophilia or another blood clotting disorder and received clotting factor concentrate
4. You have engaged in sex for drugs or money since 1977
5. Since 1977, born in, lived in or received blood products while in Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Niger or Nigeria
6. You are a past or present sexual partner of someone in the above list

Medical Conditions

1. Allergies - can donate if no infection present
2. Arthritis - can donate if no redness, pain or swelling at the time of donation
3. Asthma - can donate if no symptoms
4. Blood disorders or bleeding tendencies - cannot donate
5. Brain or spinal surgery that required a transplant of brain covering (dura mater) - cannot donate
6. CJD: A blood relative diagnosed with Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) or an increased family risk of CJD - cannot donate
7. Basal cell, squamous cell skin cancers and keratosis - can donate when removed and healed
8. Melanoma - cannot donate
9. Malignant tumors - can donate after 5 years in remission
10. Cold, flu, sore throat, cough, respiratory infection, severe headache - cannot donate
11. Cold sore, fever blister, canker sore - can donate
12. Diabetes - can donate if stable
13. Heart Attack - can donate after one year if no symptoms and no heart medication (Aspirin is okay)
14. Heart Surgery - Coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG), stent or angioplasty - can donate after one year if no symptoms and no heart medication (Aspirin is okay)
15. Hemochromatosis - cannot donate
16. Hepatitis or undiagnosed jaundice after age 10 - cannot donate
17. Positive hepatitis test - cannot donate
18. Herpes (genital) - can donate after lesions clear
19. Major/minor surgery - can donate after healed and released from MD care and reason permits
20. Pregnancy - can donate 6 weeks after delivery
21. SARS - 28 days after illness
22. SARS - 14 days after direct contact with infected person
23. SARS - 14 days after returning to the U.S. from affected areas
24. Strokes - can donate after 6 mo. if no restrictions on physical activity and no medications (Aspirin is OK)

Venereal disease

1. Genital herpes - can donate if all lesions are clear
2. Chlamydia, genital warts - can donate
3. Gonorrhea, syphilis and all other venereal diseases - can donate 1 year after treatment

Medications

1. Acetaminophen (e.g. Tylenol) - can donate for any blood donation
2. Accutane - can donate 4 weeks after last dose
3. Allergy medication - can donate
4. Antibiotics - can donate 24 hours after last dose if no symptoms of infection; no wait if taken for prevention
5. Anti-inflammatory drugs, such as Advil, Ibuprofen, Motrin and Naprosyn, cannot take for 24 hrs before a platelet donation
6. Aspirin-containing products, Feldene and Lodine XL - cannot take for 36 hours before a platelet donation
7. Avodart - can donate 6 months after last dose
8. Blood pressure medication - can donate if blood pressure is stable
9. Depression medication - can donate
10. Diuretics - can donate
11. Diabetic medication
12. Oral or insulin can donate if condition is stable
13. Injected bovine (beef) insulin since 1980 - cannot donate
14. Diet pills - can donate
15. Birth control pills - can donate
16. Female hormone pills - can donate
17. Soriatane (Acitretin) - can donate 3 years after last dose
18. Tegison - cannot donate if ever taken
19. Thyroid medication - can donate if stabilized

Immunizations

1. Polio, mumps, rubeola (a type of measles), can donate after 2 weeks
2. Rubella (a type of measles) - can donate after 4 weeks
3. Smallpox or physical contact with another's unhealed vaccination - can donate after 2 months
4. Tetanus, diphtheria, flu, Hepatitis B - can donate if no reaction

Travel Restrictions

1. Travel (6 mo. or less) to an area where malaria is prevalent - can donate 1 year after leaving area
2. Lived in (more than 6 mo.) an area where malaria is prevalent - can donate 3 years after leaving area
3. Traveled to or lived in S. Korea, north of Seoul - can donate 3 years after leaving area
4. England - cannot donate if spent time that adds up to 3 months or more in the U.K. from 1980-1996 (England, N. Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Isle of Man, Channel Islands, Gibraltar, Falkland Islands)
5. Europe - cannot donate if spent time that adds up to 5 years or more in European countries since 1980 (including time spent in the UK during 1980-1996)
6. Iraq - cannot donate for 1 year after leaving the country
7. Military - cannot donate if spent 6 mo. or more in military bases in northern Europe 1980-1990 or Southern Europe 1980-1996
8. SARS affected area - cannot donate for 14 days after returning to the U.S.

Other Possible Restrictions

1. Body/ear piercing - can donate if done with a sterile, single use, disposable needle or with a piercing gun, otherwise, after 1 year
2. Dental work
3. Cleaning, fillings, extractions, root canal, etc. - can donate if no infection or antibiotics
4. Hepatitis exposure - needs evaluation
5. Tattoo - can donate after 1 year