Consider volunteering,or hosting a blood drivethrough the Red Cross. Bring your donor card, driver's license or two other forms of ID. You can also help peoplefacing emergencies by making a financial donationto support the Red Crosss greatest needs. Donors who have undergone acupuncture treatments are acceptable. Blood donation is a simple act that can save lives. But the benefits of donating blood arent, Discover whether you can donate blood if you have a tattoo. Common Reasons People Can't Donate Even if you were deferred in the past, you may be eligible to donate now. An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of the medications; however, sometimes it does. Coumadin, Warfilone, Jantoven (warfarin) and Heparin, are prescription blood thinners- Do not donate since your blood will not clot normally. Donation Intervals Donor Deferral for Men Who Have Had Sex With Men (MSM) Ebola Virus Heart Disease Heart Murmur, Heart Valve Disorder Hemochromatosis (Hereditary) Hemoglobin, Hematocrit, Blood Count Hepatitis, Jaundice Hepatitis Exposure HIV, AIDS Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) Hypertension, High Blood Pressure Immunization, Vaccination For example, if you take aspirin products on Monday, the soonest you can donate platelets is Thursday. Data suggests valacyclovir is most effective if started within this time. Convalescent plasma contains antibodies that your body builds after a viral infection to fight off the illness. Note that this list is not all-inclusive and includes only common medications that may interact with valacyclovir. Drink plenty of water while taking valacyclovir and do not allow yourself to become dehydrated. Please, come prepared to discuss your travel details when you donate. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.org," "Mayo Clinic Healthy Living," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. Although valacyclovir treats viruses, it is not effective against the flu or the common cold. In some states, you can donate blood if you are 16 years old and have parental consent. Wait 6 weeks after giving birth. If you aren't sure what type of vaccine you got, wait 14 days before donating blood. The easiest way to lookup drug information, identify pills, check interactions and set up your own personal medication records. Elderly people may be more sensitive to some of the side effects of valacyclovir. Did you leave the city or resort at any time? Drugs.com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products. Those with sickle cell disease are not eligible to donate. Wait 3 months after a tattoo if the tattoo was applied in a state that does not regulate tattoo facilities. Medications for high blood pressure do not disqualify you from donating. For example, if you take aspirin products on Monday, the soonest you can donate platelets is Thursday. October 2021. You are not eligible to donate if you have ever had Ebola virus infection or disease. This makes it more convenient for people to take. If you have recurring cold sores, initiate treatment as soon as possible following the onset of symptoms (tingling, burning, or itching). Subscribe to Drugs.com newsletters for the latest medication news, new drug approvals, alerts and updates. All rights reserved. The FDA has given emergency authorization for convalescent plasma therapy with high antibody levels to treat COVID-19. Call the Red Cross at 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Below, you will find a list of questions donors frequently ask. If you have signs or symptoms of hepatitis (inflammation of the liver) caused by a virus, or unexplained jaundice (yellow discoloration of the skin), you are not eligible to donate blood. If you have been diagnosed with Zika virus infection, wait more than 120 days after your symptoms resolve to donate. Do not give blood if you have AIDS or have ever had a positive HIV test, or if you have done something that puts you at risk for becoming infected with HIV. If your result does not meet the minimum/maximum requirement at the time of your attempted donation you will not be permitted to donate. Its taken from your arm, but it goes to a centrifuge machine that spins fast to separate plasma from the rest of the blood and then return the blood back to your body. The blood donation process can be broken down into four steps: Registration Medical history and mini-physical Donation Refreshments While the whole process, from the time you get to the. More research is needed to verify whether HPV can be spread through blood. Those who have had infections with Chagas Disease or Leishmaniasis are not eligible to donate. Blood collection agencies have taken several steps to ensure both employees and donors are safe during the donation process. Platelets are small, tiny cell fragments that form clots to stop you from bleeding. How long do I have to take Brilinta after a stent or heart attack? Students who donate at high school drives and donors 18 years of age or younger must also meet additional height and weight requirements for whole blood donation (applies to girls shorter than 5'5" and boys shorter than 5'). Donating blood with a history of herpes simplex 1 (HSV-1) or herpes simplex 2 (HSV-2) is generally acceptable as long as: This is true about most viral infections. Available at: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2021/050722s045s046,050723s045s046,050758s042s043,050759s050s051lbl.pdf. This content does not have an English version. Your eligibility will be based on the reason that the medication was prescribed. Donation is acceptable after routine teeth cleaning or dental work. Available at: https://www.mskcc.org/about/get-involved/donating-blood/medications. 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. If you take any of these, you may not be eligible to donate platelets for a certain time period. Most cases are temporary and go away on their own without any treatment. Treatment may last from one to 14 days depending on the condition being treated and the immunocompetency of the person being treated. There are plenty of other caveats to donating blood, even if a condition or lifestyle choice doesnt seem like it should have any impact on how safe or healthy your blood is. An official website of the United States government. All additional blood donation eligibility criteria will apply. July 2015. You can call 866-236-3276 to speak with an eligibility specialist about your travel. If you have a temperature above 99.5 F, you can not donate. Can I Donate Blood After Getting a COVID-19 Vaccine? You'll have to wait to donate for two to four weeks after being vaccinated for chickenpox, measles, mumps, rubella or smallpox, or receiving the oral polio vaccine. In Minnesota you can donate whole blood every 84 days, at minimum. A federal government website managed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services200 Independence Avenue, S.W. 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. Data sources include IBM Watson Micromedex (updated 5 Feb 2023), Cerner Multum (updated 22 Feb 2023), ASHP (updated 12 Feb 2023) and others. Donated blood helps meet many medical needs, including those of people who have lost blood due to trauma, an organ transplant or other major surgery, as well as those who cannot make enough blood on their own due to illness or treatment. Anticoagulants Anticoagulants, or blood thinners, prevent blood from clotting. You may be eligible to donate, depending on your condition. Individuals with questions about their donation eligibility can contact the Red Cross Donor and Client Support Center at 1-866-236-3276. In order to donate blood, a woman must have a hemoglobin level of at least 12.5 g/dL, and a man must have a hemoglobin level of at least 13.0 g/dL. What foods should I eat or avoid when taking Brilinta? Inhibits viral DNA replication by inhibiting viral DNA polymerase, incorporation, and termination of the growing viral DNA chain, and inactivation of the viral DNA polymerase. Available for Android and iOS devices. This makes it more convenient for people to take. However you must wait 14 days after taking this medication before donating platelets by apheresis. If you plan to donate blood, its important to know that theres no risk of getting the COVID-19 infection from the procedure. Thalomid (thalidomide capsule). Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Accutane, Amnesteem, Absorica, Claravis, Myorisan, Sotret or Zenatane (isotretinoin), Proscar (finasteride), and Propecia (finasteride) - wait 1 month from the last dose. Clicking on links above and printing the forms, Calling the Mayo Clinic Blood Donor Program at, Obtaining copies at one of the donation center locations or a mobile blood drive, Anyone who has used injected drugs, steroids or another substance not prescribed by a doctor in the past three months, Men who have had sexual contact with other men in the past three months, Anyone who has a congenital coagulation factor deficiency, Anyone who has engaged in sex for money or drugs in the past three months, Anyone who, in the past 12 months, has had close contact with lived with or had sexual contact with a person who has viral hepatitis, Anyone who has had babesiosis, a rare and severe tick-borne disease, or the parasitic infection Chagas' disease. Stress, nutrition, illness, hydration, weight, activity, environment and even consumption of certain ingredients (for example, salt or caffeine) can affect the results of the physical exam. Medicines that interact with valacyclovir may either decrease its effect, affect how long it works, increase side effects, or have less of an effect when taken with valacyclovir. Valacyclovir is an antiviral prodrug that is rapidly converted into acyclovir inside the body. If your doctor discontinues your treatment with blood thinners, wait 7 days before returning to donate. Wait if you do not feel well on the day of donation. Generally, donors must: Some donation centers have additional medical, travel, and lifestyle considerations. The risk is higher in people with kidney disease and those receiving higher than the recommended dosage of valacyclovir. Blood donation steps include:. In general, people with well-managed or controlled diabetes can donate blood. Eligibility depends on the type of cancer and treatment history. May not be suitable for everybody, including people with advanced HIV, allogenic bone marrow transplant, kidney problems, taking certain medications, or those who are dehydrated. Anticoagulants, or blood thinners, prevent blood from clotting. These medications are not usually taken together. Also exhibits activity against other viruses that do not code for this enzyme. People who meet blood donation criteria can donate whole blood every 56 days (8 weeks). Acceptable as long as the skin over the vein to be used to collect blood is not affected. Medically reviewed by Sally Chao, MD. Aspirin, no waiting period for donating whole blood. Medically reviewed by Carmen Fookes, BPharm. Plavix (clopidogrel) and Ticlid (ticlopidine) no waiting period for donating whole blood. Its usually given to hospitalized patients or people with weak immune systems. Drugs that can harm an unborn baby (fetus) belong to different classes of medications and treat different health issues. If your blood does not clot normally, you can not donate since you may have excessive bleeding where the needle was placed. 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. Washington, D.C. 20201. The truth is that most people with tattoos can donate blood, as long as they do not have certain . During apheresis you're hooked up to a machine that collects and separates blood components and returns unused components to you. If the skin disease has become infected, wait until the infection has cleared before donating. If you are taking valacyclovir for genital herpes or cold sores avoid sexual contact until you have finished the course of treatment. Association for the Advancement of Blood & Biotherapies (AABB) provides a location service for blood centers across the U.S. Find a donation center near you and make an appointment to save lives today. In most cases, you can still donate blood after getting a COVID-19 vaccine if you are symptom-free and feeling well at the time of your donation. Whether you can donate blood if you have HPV isnt conclusive. OneBlood welcomes blood donations from donors 16 years old and older. 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. 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. You may donate blood after most vaccinations if you're feeling well. Some states allow legal minors to donate with parental permission. The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely. If you've had a COVID-19 vaccination, discuss your eligibility for donating blood with center staff. How often you can donate blood depends on a variety of factors, including the type of blood donation you want to, During a plasma transfusion, the liquid component of a donor's blood is put into another person's bloodstream to increase the blood's volume and, Receiving a blood transfusion from a donor who has been vaccinated for COVID-19 is safe. 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. To keep the nations blood supply safe and to protect patients and donors, there are some requirements that donors must meet. Wait 3 months after using IV drugs that were not prescribed by a physician. Consult your healthcare professional (e.g., doctor or pharmacist) for more in formation. HPV, or human papillomavirus, is another infectious condition caused by a virus. Peak concentrations of acyclovir are reached within one to three hours. Wait 3 months if a piercing was performed using a reusable gun or any reusable instrument. Wait 2 weeks after immunizations for Red Measles (Rubeola), Mumps, Polio (by mouth), and Yellow Fever vaccine. "Those antibodies remain in your blood and they are also in other parts of your body as . These persons are at higher risk for exposure to infectious diseases. Plasma donors may donate as often as every 28 days. 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. The cycle is repeated a few times till enough plasma is collected. This is because the antibodies you develop from the viral infection are different from those you develop after youve had the vaccine. If you are taking antibiotics, then you will need to wait for 24 hours after your last dose before you can donate blood. But you cant donate them at a blood drive because a special machine is used to remove just the platelets and return the remaining blood back to your body. If you received this vaccine after an exposure to Monkeypox, you cannot donate for 21 days after your last exposure. Women on hormone replacement therapy for menopausal symptoms and prevention of osteoporosis are eligible to donate. 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. 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. Valacyclovir treatment is best started within 24 hours of symptom onset (ie, rash, blisters, tingling, burning). Talk with donor center staff about specific requirements. If youre thinking about donating your blood but you just got the COVID-19 vaccine or are planning to get it soon, there are few things you need to keep in mind before you give. We'll be happy to see you 24 hours after your symptoms pass. Lets get into when you can donate with specific conditions or other health concerns, when you cant donate blood, and where to go if youre in the clear to donate. If, in the past 3 years, you have been outside the United States or Canada: Acceptable if you are healthy and well and have been vaccinated for measles more than 4 weeks ago or were born before 1956. Human cadaveric pituitary-derived hGH was available in the U.S. from 1958 to 1985. Evaluation is on a case by case basis. Malaria is transmitted by the bite of mosquitoes found in certain countries and can be transmitted to patients through blood transfusion. Persons who are pregnant are not eligible to donate. Individualson oral contraceptives or using other forms of birth control are eligible to donate. You have not donated blood in the past 56 days. Chlamydia, venereal warts (human papilloma virus), or genital herpes are not a cause for deferral if you are feeling healthy and well and meet all other eligibility requirements. Blood contains several components, including red cells, platelets and plasma. With this limit in mind, many people with high blood pressure will still be able to donate blood, because high . Vismodegib and sonidegib are used for basal cell skin cancer. 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. So theres always a demand for blood donation. If you have active tuberculosis or are being treated for active tuberculosis you can not donate. Be assured that fainting before, during or after blood donation is rare. It takes about 1 hour to donate blood. Because of this risk, you can't donate blood or blood products for at least 1 month after your last dose of isotretinoin. A donor with an acute infection can not donate. Acceptable if you are taking antibiotics to prevent an infection for the following reasons: acne, chronic prostatitis, peptic ulcer disease, periodontal disease, pre-dental work, rosacea, ulcerative colitis, after a splenectomy or valvular heart disease. These drugs are used to treat or prevent blood clots and prevent strokes. Arixtra (fondaparinux), Fragmin (dalteparin), Eliquis (apixaban), Pradaxa (dabigatran),Savaysa (edoxaban), Xarelto (rivaroxaban),and Lovenox (enoxaparin) are also prescription blood thinners- Do not donate since your blood will not clot normally. You can also help peoplefacing emergencies by making a financial donationto support the Red Crosss greatest needs. Even if you can't donate now, you may be able to do so in the future. Donating blood is safe and easy to do. The following tables list common medications that may prevent you from donating, at least temporarily. The length of time you must wait to donate will depend on the requirements of the plasma donation site and the type of antibiotic. Common reasons include: If youre planning to donate blood but youre not sure if youre healthy enough, ask your doctor. Last updated on March 31, 2022. If you live with or have had sexual contact with a person who has hepatitis, you must wait 12 months after the last contact. 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. In order to donate whole blood, youll need to: Eligibility requirements may differ if you want to donate only platelets or plasma. Diabetics who are well controlled on insulin or oral medications are eligible to donate. In many cases, the answer is. You'll also be given a. Without the people who took time to donate blood, I would have died after childbirth. Do not give blood if at any time you received HIV treatment also known as antiretroviral therapy (ART). Donors who were previously deferred under the prior MSM policy will be evaluated for reinstatement. Donating blood plasma is similar to donating blood. See your doctor to get tested for herpes and other common sexually transmitted infections (STIs), especially if youve recently had sex with a new partner. Most common medications, such as ones used to treat high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or depression are all ok. Wait until finished taking oral antibiotics for an infection (bacterial or viral). Unable to Give Blood? Before donating: A person can find blood donation services by searching online for nearby centers or using an online locator . We know your time is valuable, and it's important to us that your donor experience is a positive one. With cancer, where you get treated first matters. But a 2019 study of HPV in rabbits and mice called this into question. Can have taken last pill on the date of donation. Rarely, may cause side effects such as agitation, hallucinations, confusion, or seizures. Antibiotic by injection for an infection acceptable 10 days after last injection. Sometimes, it's not possible to donate, or we may ask that you wait before donating again. Also learn which conditions make you ineligible to donate, how to find a blood bank, and, There are certain stimulants and drugs that can disqualify you from giving blood, but can you donate blood if you smoke? Herpes infections are highly contagious and you should cover your rash and avoid intimate contact. It should be started at the first sign of genital herpes or cold sore symptoms but is not a cure for these conditions. Speak to your doctor about how drug interactions should be managed. Acyclovir also passes into breastmilk. Get in touch with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Blood Bank at (301) 496-1048. If you take these drugs and donate blood, you may experience excessive bleeding and bruising. Here are some guidelines for when you cant donate blood: You can still donate blood with certain health concerns. If you get a nonreplicating, inactivated or mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccine, you can donate blood without a waiting period. 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. According to the eligibility guidelines set by the FDA, if you qualify to donate blood, in most cases, you can do it any time after youve had your COVID-19 vaccine. Double red cell donors may donate as often as every 168 days. 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. To donate blood, you must: Be in general good health. Whole blood donation takes about 45-60 minutes. Feldene (piroxicam), no waiting period for donating whole blood. However, you must wait 2 days after taking Feldene (piroxicam) before donating platelets by apheresis. Rarely, may affect the kidneys or cause a bleeding disorder. To donate, you must be symptom-free from cold, flu or fever on the day of donation. If you had leukemia or lymphoma, including Hodgkins Disease and other cancers of the blood, you are not eligible to donate. You can also contact blood drive centers like the American Red Cross at 800-RED CROSS to check if youre eligible. March 11, 2021. Eligible 16- and 17-year-old donors will need to have a parent or guardian sign their forms. Be sure to list all medications that you take before giving blood. Wait if you have a fever or a productive cough (bringing up phlegm). Donated platelets can be stored for use for as long as five days. Wait at least 16 weeks between Power Red (automated) donations. 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. This distinguishes it from Zostavax, the live shingles vaccine, which is given as a single dose (shot) and requires a 4-week deferral. Medications That May Delay Your Donation. Even if symptoms fully abate, valacyclovir should be taken until the prescribed course has been completed. Plus Other Guidelines for Donation, The Best Foods to Eat Before Donating Blood, Why Its Safe to Receive Blood from Donors Whove Been Vaccinated for COVID-19, any lesions or infected cold sores are dry and healed or close to healed, you wait at least 48 hours after finishing a round of antiviral treatments. If you have questions about protecting the privacy of your health information, please contact the Mayo Clinic Blood Donor Program. Separate requirements for hemoglobin level apply for Power Red. Plasma is a component of your blood. 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. Discuss your particular situation with the health historian at the time of donation. In almost all cases, medications will not disqualify you as a blood donor. Finasteride products also treat hair loss. Common medications such as those used to control blood pressure, birth control pills and over-the-counter medications do not affect your eligibility.