Clinical Pathology Dr. Barka Arora.

MBBS, DCP

Myths About Blood Donation

What’s holding you back from giving life to your community?

One of the things that keeps many from donating blood is a misunderstanding about their eligibility. In
truth, there are very few things that may prevent an otherwise healthy person from donating blood. Here
are some of the common myths and truths about blood donation and to help you answer some of these
common excuses, and hopefully convince them to think otherwise …..

1. If I donate blood I am susceptible to contract diseases?

No, that is not true. During a camp, the organization carrying out the drive, will make sure they follow all
the proper precautions to ensure your safety – like using disposable needles etc. Since diseases like HIV
can spread only through direct transmission, a fresh, sterilized needle will keep you safe. To be sure, you
can ask the technician to open the sealed pack containing the needle in front of you, and dispose of it in
a portable incinerator. Sterile, disposable needles are used only once for each donation.The only blood
you are exposed to is your own. It is not possible to contract any infectious disease from donating blood.

2. They’ll take too much blood and I’ll feel weak. / If I donate blood, I will fall ill.

If you weigh at least 110 lbs, you may safely donate blood. Only one pint is taken - not more. You have
about two pints of blood for every 25 pounds of body weight and your body makes new blood constantly.
After giving blood most people can resume their normal activities.

Blood donation does not make people ill. Yes, after you donate, you might feel a bit dizzy but that can be
taken care of by including certain foods in your diet before and after you donate. It is suggested before
you donate blood, make sure you include iron rich foods and foods that contain Vitamin C into your diet.
Take enough fluids before and after you donate. This will help keep the body hydrated and reduce any
weakness you might feel after.

After you have finished donating, make sure you have foods that contain folic acid, vitamin B6 and B2.
These foods contain components that will help raise your hemoglobin levels. It is also advised to stay
away from carbonated drinks and fatty foods for 24 hours before blood donation. Fatty foods tend to
increase the fat content in the blood, making it unfit for pre-donation testing. If people donate blood, their
blood is made up within 7 - 14 days. One can donate blood every three-six months.’

3. I’m on medication.

Many medications, including allergy medicines, vitamins, aspirins, birth control and blood pressure pills,
do not affect your eligibility as a blood donor. Be sure to tell the medical interviewer what medications
you are taking or have recently taken.
4. I suffer from diabetes, I cannot donate blood

Not true again. If you are on oral medication for diabetes and are not insulin-dependent, you are a good
candidate to donate blood. All you need to do is keep a few of these parameters in mind before you
donate. You should not have donated blood for at least 3 months, and should be generally healthy. If you
suffer from high blood pressure or any other heart disease, make sure to consult your doctor before you
donate blood.

5. I’m anemic.

A trained technician will test a drop of your blood before you donate. If you are anemic you will not be
permitted to donate that day. However, anemia is not usually a permanent condition. Just because you
have been deferred or told that you were anemic does not necessarily mean that you cannot give blood
later.

6. I am a woman, I can’t donate blood

Being a woman does not hamper your ability to donate blood. Although, due to physiological factors,
women may be more prone to conditions such as anemia. Pre-donation counseling will help you decide if
you should or not donate. 70% of blood in our body gets utilized for various bodily functions, rest 30
percent is initialized, if we take out 350 or 450 ml of blood, it will not hamper any body functions. Pre–
donation counseling is very important to tackle these problems.

7. I can’t give blood because I’m afraid of needles.

Most people do feel a bit of nervousness about blood donation. It is a momentary discomfort for the donor
that can provide a lifetime of a difference for the patient.

8. It might hurt when they draw the blood.

The actual drawing causes no pain. You might feel a slight pinch when the needle is inserted, but that’s
all. Some first time donors are nervous about giving blood but once they see how simple it is
and know the value of what they have given, will probably come back to do so regularly.
The whole procedure may just take about an hour

9. I’m too busy.

Is your life worth an hour of someone’s time? Is someone else’s life worth an
hour of your time? Think about it.