14 March 2024

The Importance of Blood Donation

Donors must be at least 17 years old and a maximum of 70 years old. The minimum weight requirement is 45 kg, with blood pressure below 180/100 mmHg. It is also recommended to have a hemoglobin level of approximately 12.5–17 g/dl.

Conditions That Disqualify Individuals from Donating Blood

1. Diabetes Patients
   Experts recommend that individuals with diabetes wait at least four months before their next blood donation.
2. Cancer Patients
   Due to the nature of the disease, cancer patients are more susceptible to anemia and infections.
3. Infectious Disease Patients
   People with infectious diseases such as syphilis, hepatitis B/C, and HIV are not eligible to donate blood. Donating blood in these cases risks transmitting and spreading the virus, posing health hazards to recipients
4. Epilepsy Patients
   Individuals with epilepsy must be seizure-free and off medication for at least three years
5. Patients with Blood Disorders
   Individuals with blood disorders such as hemophilia are not recommended to donate blood. Hemophilia is a condition where blood does not clot normally.
6. Drug and Alcohol Addicts
   Illegal drugs and excessive alcohol consumption can be transferred through the bloodstream, potentially endangering the blood recipient.

In addition to the conditions above, there are other situations that require postponing blood donations:

• Fever and influenza: wait 1 week after recovery
• Tooth extraction: wait 5 days after recovery
• Minor surgery: postpone for 6 months
• Major surgery: postpone for 1 year
• After receiving a transfusion: postpone for 1 year
• Tattoos, piercings, acupuncture, and transplants: wait 1 year
• Breastfeeding mothers: wait 3 months after stopping breastfeeding
• Recovery from malaria: postpone for 3 years after being symptom-free
• Visiting a malaria-endemic area: wait 1 year
• Living in a malaria-endemic area for 5 years: wait 3 years after leaving the area
• Recovery from typhoid: postpone for 6 months after recovery
• After vaccination: wait 8 months
• Experiencing allergies: wait 1 week after recovery
• Skin infections: wait 1 week after recovery

Reviewed by : dr. Innosensius Ibnu Ishwara, M.K.K.

Source : Halodoc Health Article

Picture : freepik.com