How Often Can You Donate Blood?

How Often Can You Donate Blood?

Donating blood can be good, if you are doing it for a helpful cause and spreading good around the world, giving people the help they need. But how many times is it safe for you to donate blood in a certain amount of time? Here’s everything you need to know about how often can you donate blood. 

Types Of Blood Donations

You might or might not know this, but there are several different types of blood donations. You don’t necessarily have to donate your entire blood. Some components of the blood may also be donated and the rest of the blood goes back into your body. Here are some types of blood donations:

• Plasma donation 
• Full blood donation 
• White blood cell donation 
• Red blood cell donation 
• Platelets donation 

All of these components can be sieved from your blood by a special machine and the rest of the blood will return back to your body. 

What To Do Before Donating Blood?

Now that you know how often can you donate blood, preparation is also important before donating blood. You need to eat a good and healthy meal before going to donate your blood. You also need to be well hydrated, otherwise, your blood might thicken.

Try to have some electrolyte drink handy with you, in case you start to feel dizzy and want something to put you back on track. Donation of blood can cause your body to become weak and it may lead to fatigue. 

Limitations Of Donating Blood

Here are some time limitations of when you can and can’t donate blood. 

• You can donate full blood after every 56 to 60 days. It makes up for the amount in your body and you will not feel queasy after donation. 
• For anyone under 18 years, you can only donate blood twice a year, giving a necessary gap of 4 to 5 months. 
• Plasma donations can be done every 28 days and you can give this type of donation up to 10 times a year. 
• If you have a fever or any chronic blood condition or illness, it’s best that you consult a doctor first before donating your blood to anyone. 
• If you have HIV, AIDS, or hepatitis, then you cannot, under any circumstances, donate your blood. You will only be spreading your disease to other people. 

What Happens After You Donate Blood?

It’s very normal to feel like you are going to pass out, after donating blood. Your body needs some time to regain its balance after losing a pint or two of blood, so it is recommended that you lay it low for at least 30 minutes before you start to do any activity. Try to rehydrate yourself too, after donating your blood, because you will need it. 

There you have it! Blood donation is not only a good thing to do to help people, but it is also good for your body and it acts as a flushing agent to remove toxins from your body.

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References:

1. mskcc
   
2. redcrossblood