POLOKWANE – A number of boxes need to be ticked and checks need to be done before you can hop onto a bed and donate blood.
Many willing donors get turned away because they do not meet all the requirements set out by the South African National Blood Service (SANBS). No matter how eager someone is to give blood, SANBS representatives cannot risk drawing blood if there is an issue with the donor, whether its due to a recent body piercing, or because the donor is suffering from something as benign as a common cold. This according to Dottie Pinn, a representative from the local blood bank. She says the stipulations that lead to deferrals can be temporary or permanent.
Some of the most common reasons for being deferred include:
• Not feeling well due to a sore throat, cold, respiratory infection, flu, cold sore. You can only donate blood after being free of any symptom of illness for about one week.
• Recent use of antibiotics. You can only donate blood seven days after stopping the use of antibiotics.
• Ear and body piercing and acupuncture. (No deferral if sterile needles are used or if you have tattoos and permanent make-up.) You can only donate blood six months after procedure, unless done under sterile conditions.
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding. You can only donate blood three months following a normal delivery and six months following delivery by Caesarean Section. Mothers who breastfeed can return once their feeds are reduced to once per day.
• Dental work. You must wait a day after any dental procedure to donate blood.
• Major surgery. Provided there are no complications, the waiting period after a major operation is six months. If you received blood or blood products you may not donate for 6 months.
Use of aspirin. No waiting period.
• If you’ve had malaria. You van only donate blood three years after completing treatment.
• Travelled to a malaria area – You can only donate blood four weeks after returning from a malaria area.
• Low iron level – You can only donate blood within three to 12 months, depending on your iron level.
• If you have had Hepatitis – If you’ve had Hepatitis A (yellow jaundice) , you need to wait one year after receiving medication. Needs a doctor’s letter to confirm, unless donor had yellow jaundice before age 13. Hepatitis B & C: Permanent deferral.
• Donors over the age of 65 years. No one older than 65 may donate blood. For their protection, regular donors have up to their 68th birthday to bring a letter from their doctor stating their medication (if any) and that they are fit and well to donate blood. It is recommended that donors over the age of 65 donate no more frequently than 4 times a year.
• If you’re taking prescribed medication. In most cases, medication will not disqualify you as a blood donor. As long as the condition is under control and, for blood pressure medication you have been on the same medication for at least four weeks. If you are healthy, blood donation is usually permitted. Bring your medication (or name of medication) with you and please check with the sister-in-charge of the clinic for clarification.
For more information on how to donate blood and what can be an issue for a potential donor, visit the SANBS website or contact Polokwane SANBS at 015 283 3600/ 0800 11 90 31.
riana@nmgroup.co.za
