If yes, where did you go? If you ever received a dura mater (brain covering) transplant you are not eligible to donate. You'll be notified if any of these tests are positive. When you donate blood, a special machine is used to separate plasma from blood and make plasma available to be given to a donor. If the underlying condition was treated, most sites will require you to wait 24 to 48 hours after completing the course of antibiotics before donating. Wait 3 years after living more than 5 years in a country or countries where malaria is found. Yes, you can donate blood even if you have herpes but only if you're not having an outbreak of symptoms and if it's been more than 48 hours since you finished an antiviral treatment. Plasma donors may donate as often as every 28 days. And, yes, you can donate blood if you are taking medication for high blood pressure. Acyclovir also passes into breastmilk. If you have traveled or lived in a malaria-risk country, a waiting period is required before you can donate blood. Please, come prepared to discuss your travel details when you donate. You can call 866-236-3276 to speak with an eligibility specialist about your travel. Dont donate until its been at least 48 hours since youve finished taking any antiviral treatment. How long should Brilinta be held/stopped before surgery? Blood volume is determined by body weight and height. Wait until finishing antibiotics for a dental infection. You'll also be given a. Double red cell donors may donate as often as every 168 days. 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. 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. Forbes added that donating blood after getting a shot will not impact the efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine. Drugs.com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products. Antiplatelet drugs affect how platelets work. Before you donate blood, you must sign an Authorization to Release Protected Health Information. Donating blood is safe and easy to do. Treatment for cold sores should not exceed one day. Age. Wait at least 8 weeks between whole blood (standard) donations. (2019). Without the people who took time to donate blood, I would have died after childbirth. Select one or more newsletters to continue. But only 3% of age-eligible people donate blood each year. Over-the-counter oral homeopathic medications, herbal remedies, and nutritional supplements are acceptable. Before donation, a parent or guardian must review and sign the following form to allow an eligible 16-year-old to donate: These required donation forms are available by any one of the following means: To donate blood, you must weigh at least 110 pounds (about 50 kilograms) and be at least 16 or 17 years old, depending on the law in your state. Read more about the national blood shortage. If you have a fever or an active infection, wait until the infection has resolved completely before donating blood. Talk with donor center staff about specific requirements. If you are taking any medication, even if it is not listed here, please call the MSK Blood Donor Room at 212-639-7648 or email donateblood@mskcc.org to determine your eligibility. There are other ways to give. Valacyclovir. If you take these drugs and donate blood, you may experience excessive bleeding and bruising. Memorial Sloan Kettering was founded in 1884, and today is a world leader in patient care, research, and educational programs. Generally, donors must: Some donation centers have additional medical, travel, and lifestyle considerations. Available for Android and iOS devices. Go to your donation appointment well rested and wearing a shirt with sleeves that can be rolled up above your elbows. Acceptable if you have a positive skin test or blood test, but no active tuberculosis and are NOT taking antibiotics. Wait at least 6 months after bypass surgery or angioplasty. Considervolunteeringorhosting a blood drivethrough the Red Cross. Learn how transfusion reactions occur and how to minimize. Donated blood benefits people in local hospitals who need blood transfusions. Weigh up the risks versus benefits of treatment because acyclovir (the active form of valacyclovir) crosses the placenta into the unborn child. Wait 3 years after completing treatment for malaria. If you are taking any medication, even if it is not listed here, please call the MSK Blood Donor Room at 212-639-7648 or email [emailprotected]to determine your eligibility. Forgot to report any important health information, Have signs and symptoms of an illness several days after your blood donation, Are diagnosed with COVID-19 within 48 hours after donating blood. Acceptable if it has been more than 3 months since you completed treatment for syphilis or gonorrhea. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances. 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. Wait until you have completed antibiotic treatment for sinus, throat or lung infection. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. SHINGRIX vaccine is administered in 2 doses (shots). 2022. The following tables list common medications that may prevent you from donating, at least temporarily. Double red cell donation takes about 30 minutes longer than a whole blood donation. Staff members are skilled at making the experience as smooth as possible. Wait at least 16 weeks between Power Red (automated) donations. 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. Eligible 16- and 17-year-old donors will need to have a parent or guardian sign their forms. So theres always a demand for blood donation. This requirement is related to concerns about the brain disease, Creutzfeld-Jacob Disease (CJD). More information about the FDA policy is available for LGBTQ+ donors. Treatment may last from one to 14 days depending on the condition being treated and the immunocompetency of the person being treated. Separate requirements for hemoglobin level apply for Power Red. From diagnosis to treatment, our experts provide the care and support you need, when you need it. Seek urgent medical advice if you have any signs of an allergic reaction (such as hives; difficulty breathing; facial or throat swelling). Some people are at high risk of bloodborne infections, which makes them ineligible to donate blood. This makes it more convenient for people to take. The easiest way to lookup drug information, identify pills, check interactions and set up your own personal medication records. Common Reasons People Can't Donate Even if you were deferred in the past, you may be eligible to donate now. 1998-2023 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). Teriflunomide treats relapsing multiple sclerosis. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure youre on a federal government site. These persons are at higher risk for exposure to infectious diseases. Because plasma is part of your blood, the same rules apply if you have herpes, whether you have HSV-1 or HSV-2: Maybe. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. And you are never too old to donate blood. 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. If you have questions about protecting the privacy of your health information, please contact the Mayo Clinic Blood Donor Program. Blood donation steps include:. If you take these drugs and donate blood, you may experience excessive bleeding and bruising. More research is needed to verify whether HPV can be spread through blood. Also, avoid touching the rash and then your eyes. You have not donated blood in the past 56 days. If you have recurring cold sores, initiate treatment as soon as possible following the onset of symptoms (tingling, burning, or itching). Return visits can take about 90 minutes and may be quicker. The criteria concerning foreign travel are subject to change, so please discuss your eligibility with donor center staff. Not have had a fever in the last 4 weeks. Donors who were previously deferred under the prior MSM policy will be evaluated for reinstatement. Wait for 3 months after receiving a blood transfusion from another person. Washington, D.C. 20201. Wait 3 months if a piercing was performed using a reusable gun or any reusable instrument. Below, you will find a list of questions donors frequently ask. 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. Did you leave the city or resort at any time? You may also search eligibility topics by keyword. Consider volunteering,or hosting a blood drivethrough the Red Cross. Discuss any upper weight limitations of beds and lounges with your local health historian. 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. Blood contains several components, including red cells, platelets and plasma. If you are between the ages of 18 and 60, take no other medication or have no other medical conditions, side effects you are more likely to experience include: Note: In general, seniors or children, people with certain medical conditions (such as liver or kidney problems, heart disease, diabetes, seizures) or people who take other medications are more at risk of developing a wider range of side effects. These high-risk groups include: Your medical record is viewed only as needed by Mayo Clinic Blood Program nurses and physicians. Be 17 years of age or older, or 16 with parental consent. Acyclovir also passes into breastmilk. Yes. If you take any of these, you may not be eligible to donate platelets for a certain time period. Wait 21 days after immunization for hepatitis B as long as you are not given the immunization for exposure to hepatitis B. Donor Deferral for Men Who Have Had Sex With Men (MSM). Avodart or Jalyn (dutasteride) - wait 6 months from the last dose. Acceptable as long as the skin over the vein to be used to collect blood is not affected. Because of this risk, you can't donate blood or blood products for at least 1 month after your last dose of isotretinoin. Physical exam results vary throughout the day. Contact the blood donor center or your doctor if you: Get our free e-newsletter to stay up to date on the latest health information from experts at Mayo Clinic. Those who have had infections with Chagas Disease or Leishmaniasis are not eligible to donate. If you have been diagnosed with Zika virus infection, wait more than 120 days after your symptoms resolve to donate. Valacyclovir is an oral tablet that only needs to be taken twice daily, compared to five times daily for acyclovir. Donated platelets can be stored for use for as long as five days. But there are some rules you'll need to follow before you donate your blood after getting the jab. Wash your hands frequently. Common reasons include: If youre planning to donate blood but youre not sure if youre healthy enough, ask your doctor. Wait at least 6 months after a change in your heart condition that resulted in a change to your medications. However, you must wait 2 full days after taking aspirin or any medication containing aspirin before donating platelets by apheresis. Select the title or plus symbol below to view content. 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. According to the eligibility guidelines set by the FDA, if you qualify to donate. Sometimes, it's not possible to donate, or we may ask that you wait before donating again. In some countries national legislation permits 16-17 year-olds to donate provided that they fulfil the physical and hematological criteria required and that appropriate consent is obtained. The FDA has given emergency authorization for convalescent plasma therapy with high antibody levels to treat COVID-19. This distinguishes it from Zostavax, the live shingles vaccine, which is given as a single dose (shot) and requires a 4-week deferral. While oral birth control pills,. 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. Donating Blood & Platelets Medications That May Delay Your Donation Certain medications may delay your ability to donate blood. Those who have had infection with Babesiosis can donate if it has been 2 years or more since the diagnosis or positive test if donating in the states of Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Wisconsin or Washington, D.C. Wait 3 months if there is any question whether or not the instruments used were single-use equipment. Then, your red blood cells are put back into your blood along with a saline solution. This includes work release programs and weekend incarceration. Medications That May Delay Your Donation. Just as with blood donation, you dont have to wait to give platelets or plasma after youve had your COVID-19 vaccine as long as you know the vaccine manufacturer. Many people mistakenly believe that having a tattoo means it is not possible to donate blood. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. 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. Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. For whole-blood donation, you can make an appointment using our simple on-line form. Valacyclovir is better absorbed than acyclovir. It's common to be nervous about donating blood if you've never done it before. Smoking before your . Discuss your particular situation with your personal healthcare provider and the health historian at the time of donation. Growth hormone received after 1985 is acceptable. If you plan to donate platelets, you need to have stopped using aspirin or any aspirin-containing medicine 48 hours before your appointment. It may help to not watch the needle as it is inserted, and you don't have to see the blood. This includes people with diabetes who take insulin or oral medications for diabetes management. ). 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. You can also help peoplefacing emergencies bymaking a financial donationto support the Red Crosss greatest needs. If you get a nonreplicating, inactivated or mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccine, you can donate blood without a waiting period. Valacyclovir belongs to the group of medicines known as antivirals. Wait until finished taking oral antibiotics for an infection (bacterial or viral). Bring your donor card, driver's license or two other forms of ID. The blood you donate will be tested to determine your blood type. 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. Persons who have been detained or incarcerated in a facility (juvenile detention, lockup, jail, or prison) for 72 hours or more consecutively (3 days) are deferred for 12 months from the date of last occurrence. Platelets are small, tiny cell fragments that form clots to stop you from bleeding. Acceptable as long as you do not have any limitations on daily activities and are not having difficulty breathing at the time of donation and you otherwise feel well. 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. 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. If you plan to donate blood, its important to know that theres no risk of getting the COVID-19 infection from the procedure. This requirement is related to concerns about hepatitis. Be careful not to transfer the virus to others; ensure you do not share linen, such as towels. As long as the condition is under control and you are healthy, blood donation is usually permitted. If youre not sure, call your local blood donation center to ask if youre eligible to donate platelets, plasma, or convalescent plasma. Discuss your particular situation with the health historian at the time of donation. Although valacyclovir treats viruses, it is not effective against the flu or the common cold. Finasteride and dutasteride Proscar and Propecia are both brand-name medications that contain finasteride.