By now, we all know how important it is to donate blood. Spanish hospitals ‘consume’ an average of 80 bags a day to cope … to oncological treatments, surgical interventions and emergencies. Its need is constant and, furthermore, it cannot be manufactured in a laboratory, so there is no alternative. In the time it takes you to read this report, one person is going to need a transfusion and five minutes later, another and then another… And so on every day and every hour.
According to the Spanish Federation of Blood Donors (FedSang), each donation saves the lives of at least three people, a relatively simple process, but one that usually generates many doubts among the population. Now that the associations are in full campaign to increase blood reserves before Easter, we resolve the most common ones.
I am 18 years old and weigh 48 kilos, can I donate?
Table of Contents
- I am 18 years old and weigh 48 kilos, can I donate?
- Do I have to identify myself?
- Can I eat something before donating? And drink a beer?
- What if I have high cholesterol?
- Can you donate during pregnancy? And with the period?
- I went to the dentist and he told me I have to wait…
- Can I catch any disease?
- Does anyone know the results of my analysis?
- How long does it take to donate again?
Not everyone can be a donor. In fact, a series of basic requirements must be met to be able to do so: weigh more than 50 kilos, be in good health and be between 18 and 70 years old (65 if it is the first time you donate).
Do I have to identify myself?
Yes. You must go to the donation center with a valid identification document: ID, passport, driving license…
Can I eat something before donating? And drink a beer?
Unlike what happens when we go to do a blood test, in this case it is not necessary to go on an empty stomach. The recommendation is that the meal prior to donation be light. “Foods rich in fat, sugary foods and drinks, and alcohol should be avoided,” they add in the Basque Donor Association. Two more recommendations: it is important to drink plenty of fluids the day before and avoid intense exercise during the three or four hours before the extraction.
What if I have high cholesterol?
You can also donate blood. Before going to the extraction room, the donor must fill out a form and undergo a short examination (blood pressure, iron levels…) in which a doctor asks a series of questions to rule out health problems that would prevent them from donating. “Between the interview, the extraction and the subsequent rest period, the process can last about 30 or 40 minutes,” the experts explain.
Can you donate during pregnancy? And with the period?
You cannot donate blood during pregnancy or in the six months after giving birth. After an operation, for example, you would also have to wait half a year, although in some cases the period may be shorter. With your period, you can donate, unless your doctor advises against it.
I went to the dentist and he told me I have to wait…
If you have only had one checkup, you can donate the same day. If you have had a cleaning done, you must wait 24 hours; with a filling, 72 hours and if you have had a tooth extracted you cannot donate again until after seven days. If you have had a tattoo or piercing you will also have to wait four months to donate.
Can I catch any disease?
No. You are not going to get infected or spread any disease. All the material used in the process is new, sterile and single-use, which guarantees the safety of the donor. In addition to the 450 cubic centimeters of blood that are donated, three other tubes are removed for analysis. In total, almost half a liter. In other words, your blood will not be transfused to anyone without having previously verified that it is in optimal condition. «If everything goes well, a few days after the extraction, the local blood bank will inform the donor that their donation is valid and that bag will enter the circuit. Otherwise, they will contact you to explain the reason for rejecting your blood and the steps you should follow if you need assistance,” they clarify in FedSang.
Does anyone know the results of my analysis?
No. The data is absolutely confidential and is subject to the same secrecy as any other medical consultation. “What we do know is that about 6,000 people benefit from transfusions every day and that at least half of the Spanish population will need blood at least once in their life,” the Association of Donors of Euskadi states.
How long does it take to donate again?
The minimum interval is two months, for both men and women. Now, they can donate a maximum of four times in a period of one year, while women can only do so three times.
