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Do
you know:
Blood Donors More...
Who Karl Landsteiner is? More...
How Blood Groups were categorised. More...
Who can give Blood to who? More...
How Your Blood Donation is used More...
IMPORTANT:
Please ensure you read
these important notes before attending a donor session
More...
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Who can give blood to who? More
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THE
NATIONAL BLOOD SERVICE WELCOME YOU AS A BLOOD DONOR
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The National Blood Service must make sure that
by accepting your blood they do not harm you or the patients
who may receive your blood. The information below contains
the most common reasons why a person may not be able to give
blood. Reading this carefully may save you time or a wasted
journey.
You can give blood between your 17th and 70th birthdays (up
to 60th birthday for new donors) and weigh at least 7st 121bs
(50kg). |
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Please do not offer to give blood if you are
pregnant or have a baby less than 12 months old. You should
only give blood if you are well on the day of donation. It
is unwise to give blood just before undertaking a hazardous
hobby or job, such as driving a crane or driving in the emergency
services.
If any of the following apply to you, or you have any pueries
as to whether you can donate, please call the helpline number
on 08457 711 711. |
YOU SHOULD NOT GIVE BLOOD IF:
- You
have already given blood in the last 12 weeks (normally you must
wait 16 weeks).
- You
have a chesty cough, sore throat or active cold sore (the END
of a cold is okay).
- You
are taking antibiotics NOW or you have finished taking them more
than 14 days ago.
- In the
last 12 months you have had hepatitis or jaundice, ear piercing,
body piercing, tattooing, or you have received a blood transfusion
yourself.
- You
have had acupuncture in the last 12 months outside of the NHS
(unless you can produce the approved certificate from your acupuncturist
or physiotherapist).
- If a
family member (parent, brother, sister, child) has suffered with
CJD (Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease).
- If you
have ever received human pituitary extract (some growth hormone
or fertility treatments before 1985)
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| YOU MAY NOT BE ABLE
TO GIVE BLOOD IF:
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You have had a serious illness or major surgery in the past
or are on medication at present. Please discuss this with
our clinical staff. The reason you are taking medicines
may prevent you from donating.
- You
have had complicated dental work (simple fillings are okay
the same day, simple extractions are okay after 24 hours).
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You have been in contact with an infectious disease or been
given certain immunisations in the last 4 weeks.
- You
are presently on a hospital waiting list or undergoing medical
tests.
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| TRAVEL ABROAD:
Please wait 12 months after returning from a malarious area.
Please tell us if you have visited Central/South America at
any time. |
THE SPECIAL PROBLEM OF HIV AND HEPATITIS
VIRUSES
- All
blood donations are tested for HIV (the virus that causes AIDS)
and hepatitis B and C.
- Infected
blood is not used for transfusions but our test may not always
detect early stages of viral infection.
- The
chance of infected blood getting past our screening tests is very
small, but we rely on your help and co-operation.
- People
who carry these viruses may feel healthy for many years.
YOU SHOULD NEVER GIVE BLOOD IF:
- You
carry the hepatitis B virus, the hepatitis C virus or the HIV
virus.
- You
are a man who has had sex with another man, even "safe sex" using
a condom.
- You
have ever worked as a prostitute.
- You
have ever injected yourself with drugs, even once.
YOU SHOULD NOT GIVE
BLOOD FOR 12 MONTHS AFTER SEX WlTH:
- A man
who has had sex with another man (if you are female).
- A prostitute.
- Anyone
who has injected themselves with drugs.
- Anyone
with haemophilia or a related blood clotting disorder who has
received clotting factor concentrates.
- Anyone,
of any race, who has been sexually active in Africa (apart from
Morocco, Algeria, Libya, Tunisia or Egypt) in the past year. The
main route of HIV Infection in Africa is through heterosexual
sex.
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Please do not give blood if you THINK that
you need a test for HIV or hepatitis, or if you have had sex
in the past year with someone you think may be HIV or hepatitis
positive.
Never give blood to get an HIV
test. If you are worried, please ring the National AIDS/HIV
helpline (0800 567123).
You will be given more information at the session, please
remember to bring your reading glasses if you need them. |
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National Blood Service
Call our help line on 08457 711 711
at anytime or visit the website
www.blood.co.uk
Regional Transfusion Centre
The John Radcliffe
Headington
Oxford OX3 9DU
Tel +44(0)1865 741188
Don't forget to give blood regularly, and inform the National
Blood Service any change of address - you can do it online.
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