Eligibility Criteria by Topic
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Medications and Vaccinations
Antibiotics
Acceptable after finishing oral antibiotics for an infection (bacterial or viral). May have taken last pill on the date of donation. Antibiotic by injection for an infection acceptable 10 days after last injection. Acceptable if you are taking antibiotics to prevent an infection, for example, following dental procedures or for acne. Some conditions which require antibiotics to prevent an infection must still be evaluated at the time of donation by the responsible medical director. If you have a temperature above 99.5 F, you may not donate.
Aspirin
Birth Control
Immunization, Vaccination
- Acceptable if you were vaccinated for influenza, tetanus or meningitis, providing you are symptom-free and fever-free. Includes the Tdap vaccine.
- Acceptable if you received an HPV Vaccine (example, Gardasil).
- Wait 4 weeks after immunizations for German Measles (Rubella), MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella), Chicken Pox and Shingles.
- Wait 2 weeks after immunizations for Red Measles (Rubeola), Mumps, Polio (by mouth), and Yellow Fever vaccine.
- Wait 21 days after immunization for hepatitis B as long as you are not given the immunization for exposure to hepatitis B.
- Smallpox vaccination and did not develop complications
Wait 8 weeks (56 days) from the date of having a smallpox vaccination as long as you have had no complications. Complications may include skin reactions beyond the vaccination site or general illness related to the vaccination. - Smallpox vaccination and developed complications
Wait 14 days after all vaccine complications have resolved or 8 weeks (56 days) from the date of having had the smallpox vaccination whichever is the longer period of time. You should discuss your particular situation with the health historian at the time of donation. Complications may include skin reactions beyond the vaccination site or general illness related to the vaccination. - Smallpox vaccination – close contact with someone who has had the smallpox vaccine in the last eight weeks and you did not develop any skin lesions or other symptoms.
Eligible to donate. - Smallpox vaccination – close contact with someone who has had the vaccine in the last eight weeks and you have since developed skin lesions or symptoms.
Wait 8 weeks (56 days) from the date of the first skin lesion or sore. You should discuss your particular situation with the health historian at the time of donation. Complications may include skin reactions or general illness related to the exposure.
Insulin (Bovine)
Medications
Over-the-counter oral homeopathic medications, herbal remedies, and nutritional supplements are acceptable.
There are a handful of drugs that are of special significance in blood donation. Persons on these drugs have waiting periods following their last dose before they can donate blood:
– Accutane, Amnesteem, Claravis or Sotret (isoretinoin), Proscar (finasteride), and Propecia (finasteride) - wait 1 month from the last dose.
– Avodart (dutasteride) - wait 6 months from the last dose.
– Aspirin, no waiting period for donating whole blood. However you must wait 48 hours after taking aspirin or any medication containing aspirin before donating platelets by apheresis.
– Feldene (piroxicam), no waiting period for donating whole blood. However you must wait 48 hours after taking Feldene (piroxicam) before donating platelets by apheresis.
– Clopidogrel - wait 14 days after taking this medication before donating platelets by apheresis.
– Coumadin (warfarin) , heparin or other prescription blood thinners- you should not donate since your blood will not clot normally. If your doctor discontinues your treatment with blood thinners, wait 7 days before returning to donate.
– Hepatitis B Immune Globulin – given for exposure to hepatitis, wait 12 months after exposure to hepatitis.
– Human pituitary-derived growth hormone at any time - you are not eligible to donate blood.
– Plavix - wait 14 days after taking this medication before donating platelets by apheresis.
– Soriatane (acitretin) - wait 3 years.
– Tegison (etretinate) at any time - you are not eligible to donate blood.
– Ticlid - wait 14 days after taking this medication before donating platelets by apheresis.
– Ticlopidine - wait 14 days after taking this medication before donating platelets by apheresis.
General Health Considerations
Allergy, Stuffy Nose, Itchy Eyes, Dry Cough
Cold, Flu
Wait if you do not feel well on the day of donation.
Wait until you have completed antibiotic treatment for sinus, throat or lung infection.
Donation Intervals
Wait at least 16 weeks between double red cell (automated) donations.
Weight/Height
Blood volume is determined by body weight and height. Individuals with low blood volumes may not tolerate the removal of the required volume of blood given with whole blood donation. There is no upper weight limit as long as your weight is not higher than the weight limit of the donor bed/lounge you are using. You can discuss any upper weight limitations of beds and lounges with your local health historian.
Medical Conditions that Affect Eligibility
Allergies
Asthma
Bleeding Condition
Blood Pressure (High or Low)
High Blood Pressure - Acceptable as long as your blood pressure is below 180 systolic (first number) and below 100 diastolic (second number) at the time of donation. Medications for high blood pressure do not disqualify you from donating.
Low Blood Pressure - Acceptable as long as you feel well when you come to donate, and your blood pressure is at least 80/50 (systolic/diastolic).
Cancer
Precancerous conditions of the uterine cervix do not disqualify you from donation if the abnormality has been treated successfully. You should discuss your particular situation with the health historian at the time of donation.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Xenotropic Murine Leukemia Virus-Related Virus (XMRV) infection has been associated in some studies with CFS. There is currently insufficient data to conclude that XMRV is transmitted through blood transfusion. However, the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) Task force is conducting research to determine the frequency of the virus in the donor population, whether it is transfusion-transmitted, and whether recipients become infected and develop CFS.
Chronic Illnesses
CJD, vCJD, Mad Cow Disease
Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) If you ever received a dura mater (brain covering) transplant or human pituitary growth hormone, you are not eligible to donate. Those who have a blood relative who had Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease are also not eligible to donate. Learn more about CJD.
Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, Variant (vCJD); "Mad Cow Disease"
Diabetes
Heart Disease
Wait at least 6 months following an episode of angina.
Wait at least 6 months following a heart attack.
Wait at least 6 months after bypass surgery or angioplasty.
If you have a pacemaker, you may donate as long as your pulse is between 50 and 100 beats per minute with no more than a small number of irregular beats, and you meet the other heart disease criteria. You should discuss your particular situation with your personal healthcare provider and the health historian at the time of donation.
Heart Murmur, Heart Valve Disorder
Hemochromatosis (Hereditary)
Hemoglobin, Hematocrit, Blood Count
Separate requirements for hemoglobin level apply for double red cell donations.
Hepatitis, Jaundice
Acceptable if you had jaundice or hepatitis caused by something other than a viral infection, for example: medications, Gilbert's disease, bile duct obstruction, alcohol, gallstones or trauma to the liver. If you ever tested positive for hepatitis B or hepatitis C, at any age, you are not eligible to donate, even if you were never sick or jaundiced from the infection.
Hepatitis Exposure
Persons who have been detained or incarcerated in a facility (juvenile detention, lockup, jail, or prison) for more than 72 consecutive hours (3 days) are deferred for 12 months from the date of last occurrence. This includes work release programs and weekend incarceration. These persons are at higher risk for exposure to infectious diseases.
Wait 12 months after receiving a blood transfusion (unless it was your own "autologous" blood), non-sterile needle stick/body piercing or exposure to someone else's blood.
Wait 12 months following a human bite, in which the skin was broken.
HIV, AIDS
You are at risk for getting infected if you:
- have ever used needles to take drugs, steroids, or anything not prescribed by your doctor
- are a male who has had sexual contact with another male, even once, since 1977
- have ever taken money, drugs or other payment for sex since 1977
- have had sexual contact in the past 12 months with anyone described above
- received clotting factor concentrates for a bleeding disorder such as hemophilia
- were born in, or lived in, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Equatorial Guinea,Gabon, Niger, or Nigeria, since 1977
- since 1977, received a blood transfusion or medical treatment with a blood product in any of these countries, or
- had sex with anyone who, since 1977, was born in or lived in any of these countries.
Learn more about HIV Group O, and the specific African countries where it is found.
You should not give blood if you have any of the following conditions that can be signs or symptoms of HIV/AIDS:
- unexplained weight loss (10 pounds or more in less than 2 months)
- night sweats
- blue or purple spots in your mouth or skin
- white spots or unusual sores in your mouth
- lumps in your neck, armpits, or groin, lasting longer than one month
- diarrhea that won’t go away
- cough that won’t go away and shortness of breath, or
- fever higher than 100.5 F lasting more than 10 days.
Hypertension, High Blood Pressure
Infections
Wait until finished taking antibiotics for an infection (bacterial or viral). Wait 10 days after the last antibiotic injection for an infection.
Those who have had infections with Chagas Disease or Babesiosis are not eligible to donate.
See also Antibiotics, Hepatitis, HIV, Syphilis/Gonorrhea, and Tuberculosis.
Malaria
Sexually Transmitted Disease
Sickle Cell
Skin Disease, Rash, Acne
Tuberculosis
Medical Treatments that Affect Eligibility
Acupuncture
Blood Transfusion
You may not donate if you received a blood transfusion since 1980 in the United Kingdom (England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, Gibraltar or Falkland Islands). This requirement is related to concerns about variant CJD, or 'mad cow' disease. Learn more about variant CJD and blood donation.
You may not donate if you received a blood transfusion in certain countries in Africa since 1977. This requirement is related to concerns about rare strains of HIV that are not consistently detected by all current test methods. Learn more about HIV Group O, and the specific African countries where it is found.
Dental Procedures and Oral Surgery
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
Organ/Tissue Transplants
Surgery
Lifestyle and Life Events
Age
Donor Deferral for Men Who Have Had Sex With Men (MSM)
View the most recent joint statement made by the Red Cross, AABB and America's Blood Centers dated June 15, 2010
Intravenous Drug Use
Piercing (ears, body), Electrolysis
Wait 12 months if there is any question whether or not the instruments used were sterile and free of blood contamination. This requirement is related to concerns about hepatitis. Learn more about hepatitis and blood donation.
Pregnancy, Nursing
Tattoo
Acceptable if the tattoo was applied by a state-regulated entity using sterile needles and ink that is not reused. There are 32 states that currently regulate tattoo facilities. You should discuss your particular situation with the health historian at the time of donation.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Sexually Transmitted Disease
Acceptable if it has been more than 12 months since you completed treatment for syphilis or gonorrhea.
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.
Herpes
HIV, AIDS
Venereal Diseases
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.
Syphilis/Gonorrhea
Travel Outside the U.S., Immigration
Travel Outside the U.S., Immigration
Wait 12 months after travel in an area where malaria is found. Wait 3 years after living in a country or countries where malaria is found. Learn more about malaria and blood donation.
Wait 12 months after travel to Iraq. This requirement is related to concerns about Leishmanaisis.
Persons who have spent long periods of time in countries where "mad cow disease" is found are not eligible to donate. This requirement is related to concerns about variant Creutzfeld Jacob Disease (vCJD). Learn more about vCJD and blood donation.
Persons who were born or lived in certain countries in Western Africa, or who have had close contact with persons who were born in or who lived in certain West African countries are not eligible to donate. This requirement is related to concerns about HIV Group O. Learn more about HIV Group O, and the specific African countries where it is found.
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Last updated: 12/06/10
By: Richard J Benjamin, M.D., Ph.D, FRCPath and M.A.P., RN, BSN