Donating blood is a generous act, but can only be done under certain conditions. These conditions have changed since April 2016.
be fit
If the body is affected by an infection , whatever it is (flu, nasopharyngitis, gastro, etc.), the composition of the blood is modified (high level of antibodies, virus, etc.). It is therefore mandatory to wait at least 15 days after the end of the first symptoms.
When donating blood, the donor undergoes a health examination to judge his physical condition .
Although in perfect health, it is strongly recommended to eat well and hydrate well before any donation.
Do not take medication
If it is paracetamol taken the day before for a headache, it is not necessary to postpone the blood donation. On the other hand, if it is an antibiotic treatment , it is better to abstain, even if the treatment is finished. You must actually wait a minimum of 15 days before donating blood because antibiotics take some time to be definitively eliminated from the body.
This is also the case for corticosteroids and, in general, for any specific treatment corresponding to a precise pathology. In case of doubt, it is better to seek the advice of the doctor on site.
Do not have a blood-borne disease
To avoid possible blood contamination , people with blood-borne diseases such as viral hepatitis (B and C) or HIV cannot donate blood.
If there is a potential risk or doubt persists, it is strongly recommended to carry out screening tests before undertaking a blood donation.
Be of the required age and weight
To be able to donate blood, you must necessarily be of legal age and not be under legal protection (tutorship or curatorship for example). After the age of 70 , it is no longer possible to donate blood for health reasons, the elderly being more vulnerable.
You must also weigh at least 50 kilos because the volume of blood taken must not exceed 13% of the total blood volume . However, the minimum quantity of blood required during a donation being 400 ml, this quantity exceeds the maximum blood volume to be collected below 50 kilos.
Pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding
Pregnant women cannot donate blood due to the risk of anemia . The body produces more red blood cells for the baby’s needs (oxygen, placenta), giving blood would therefore deprive him of what is vital for his good growth.
During childbirth, blood loss is substantial, the body must therefore replenish its reserves. After childbirth , it is therefore necessary to wait at least 6 months so that the body has been able to compensate for its losses and allow the hemoglobin time to regenerate. Breastfeeding and blood donation are perfectly compatible , after this period of 6 months postpartum.
Not having been recently exposed to a risk of infection
Certain acts of daily life carry a risk of infection such as scaling, piercing or tattooing, or after surgery , etc.
The health authorities apply the precautionary principle and thus require a period of 24 hours after the treatment of a cavity or a scaling, 4 months after a piercing or a tattoo (which increases the risk of transmission of STIs) and between 1 week and 4 months after surgery (depending on the type of surgery) before you can donate blood
Homosexuality and sexuality
Before 2016, a homosexual could not give blood. Since the decree of April 5, 2016, this is now possible provided you have not had sex for 1 year .
Homosexual or heterosexual, the donor must not have had sexual intercourse with a new partner during the last 4 months , even if he has protected himself.
Trips abroad
Some viruses or parasites can be contracted while traveling abroad . An infected person can transmit the virus without showing any symptoms, this is called the incubation period .
Depending on the incubation period of the various diseases, you have to wait several months before donating blood when returning from a trip abroad. It is thus necessary to wait 4 months after returning from a country where malaria is present (tropical countries) or after a trip to Latin America (Chagas disease). The deadlines are shortened to 1 month after a trip to certain countries in Europe, the Near and Middle East, Asia, North America, Central America or Overseas, depending on the viruses the parasites identified (coronavirus, dengue , chikungunya, etc.)
