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Home English > Services > Biomedical Services > Blood Services > Eligibility Guidelines

BLOOD DONATION ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES

Note to users: This list is not complete. Medical professionals are available at each blood collection center and details of each donor's health and activities are discussed in a confidential setting prior to blood donation. The final determination of eligibility is made at that time. Some donor eligibility rules are specified by the Food and Drug Administration for every blood bank in the country. Other rules are determined by the particular blood bank and may differ between programs. Donor eligibility rules are intended to protect the health and safety of the donor as well as the patient who will receive the transfusion. The criteria listed below are provided as guidelines to assist you in determining whether you may be eligible to be a blood donor. The guidelines listed below were last revised on 9/14/04. There may have been some changes to these criteria since the last revision date. The most up to date eligibility information can be obtained by contacting the American Red Cross blood center nearest you.

GENERAL GUIDELINES
To give blood for transfusion to another person, you must be healthy, be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds, and not have donated blood in the last 56 days. "Healthy" means that you feel well and can perform normal activities. If you have a chronic condition such as diabetes or high blood pressure, "healthy" also means that you are being treated and the condition is under control.

Other aspects of each potential donor's health history are discussed as part of the donation process before any blood is collected. Each donor receives a brief examination during which temperature, pulse, blood pressure and blood count (hemoglobin or hematocrit) are measured.

Making donations for your own use during surgery (autologous blood donation) is considered a medical procedure and the rules for eligibility are less strict than for regular volunteer donations.

Acupuncture
Age
Allergy, Stuffy Nose, Itchy Eyes, Dry Cough
Antibiotics
Aspirin
Asthma
Auto immune Diseases
Birth Control
Blood Pressure, High
Blood Pressure, Low
Blood Transfusion
Cancer
Cholesterol, high
Chronic Illnesses
Clotting Disorders
Cocaine
Cold, Flu, Sore Throat
Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD)
Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, Variant (vCJD);
"Mad Cow Disease"
Dental Procedures
Depression, Anxiety
Diabetes mellitus
Donation Intervals
Epilepsy, Seizures
Heart Disease
Heart Murmur, Heart Valve Disorder
Hemochromatosis
Hemoglobin, Hematocrit, Blood Count

Hepatitis, Jaundice
Hepatitis Exposure
Herpes
HIV, AIDS
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRP)
Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)
Hypertension, High Blood Pressure
Immunization, Vaccination
Infections
Infectious Mononucleosis, "Mono"
Intravenous Drug Use
Lyme disease
Malaria
Marijuana, "Weed", "Pot"
Medications
Menstruation
Organ/Tissue Transplants
Piercing (ears, body), Electrolysis
Pregnancy, Nursing
Sexually Transmitted Disease
Sickle Cell
Skin Disease, Rash, Acne
Surgery
Syphilis/Gonorrhea
Tattoo
Tuberculosis
Travel Outside of U.S., Immigration
Vaccinations
Venereal Diseases
Weight

Acupuncture
Donors who have undergone acupuncture treatments are acceptable as long as the donor can confirm that the needles used in the treatment were sterile. Donors who cannot confirm that sterile needles were used in the acupuncture treatment are deferred from donating for 12 months.

Age
You must be at least 17 years old to donate to the general blood supply, or 16 years old if allowed by state law. Learn more about the reasons for a lower age limit. There is no upper age limit for blood donation as long as you are well with no restrictions or limitations to your activities.

Allergy, Stuffy Nose, Itchy Eyes, Dry Cough
Acceptable as long as you feel well, have no fever, and have no problems breathing through your mouth

Antibiotics
Acceptable after finishing antibiotics for an infection (bacterial or viral). Acceptable if you are taking antibiotics to prevent an infection, for example, following dental procedures or for acne. Antibiotics for acne do not disqualify you from donating. If you have a temperature above 99.5 F, you may not donate until the fever is passed.

Aspirin
See “Medications”

Asthma
Acceptable as long as you are not having difficulty breathing at the time of donation and you otherwise feel well. Medications for asthma do not disqualify you from donating.

Auto immune Diseases
You are not eligible to donate if you have some types of generalized auto immune disease such as multiple sclerosis.

Birth Control
Women taking birth control pills are acceptable.

Blood Pressure, High
Acceptable as long as your blood pressure is below 180 systolic (first number) and below 100 diastolic (second number) at the time of donation. Medications for high blood pressure do not disqualify you from donating.

Blood Pressure, Low
Acceptable as long as you feel well when you come to donate. If your blood pressure normally runs low, it may be more difficult for your body to adjust to the volume loss following donation, especially if you are dehydrated. Drinking extra water before and after donation is important.

Blood Transfusion
Wait for 12 months after receiving a blood transfusion from another person in the United States. You may not donate if you received a transfusion since 1980 in the United Kingdom (England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Channel Islands, Isle of Man), Gibraltar or Falkland Islands. This requirement is related to concerns about variant CJD, or 'mad cow' disease. Learn more about variant CJD and blood donation.

Cancer
Acceptable if the cancer was treated with only surgery or radiation, and it has been at least 5 years since treatment was completed with no cancer recurrence. If your cancer was treated with chemotherapy, hormonal therapy or immunotherapy, you are not eligible to donate. If you had leukemia or lymphoma, including Hodgkin's Disease, you are not eligible to donate. Some low-risk cancers including squamous or basal cell cancers of the skin do not require a 5 year waiting period.

Precancerous conditions of the uterine cervix do not disqualify you from donation if the abnormality has been treated successfully.

You should discuss your particular situation with the health historian at the time of donation.

Cholesterol, high
Acceptable. Medications to lower the cholesterol level do not disqualify you from donating.

Chronic Illnesses
Most chronic illnesses are acceptable as long as you feel well, the condition is under good control, you have an adequate hemoglobin level and your temperature is normal when you come to donate. Chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, hypothyroidism, ulcerative colitis and Crohn's Disease do not automatically disqualify you from donating. You should discuss your condition with the health historian at the time of donation.

Clotting Disorders
If your blood does not clot normally, you should not donate since you may have excessive bleeding where the needle was placed. For the same reason, if you are taking any "blood thinner" (such as coumadin or heparin) you should not donate. If you are on aspirin, it is OK to donate blood. However, you must be off of aspirin for at least 36 hours in order donate platelets by apheresis.

Cold, Flu, Sore Throat
Wait if you have a fever or a productive cough (bringing up phlegm)
Wait if you feel unwell on the day of donation.
Wait until you have completed antibiotic treatment for sinus, throat or lung infection.

Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD)
If you ever received a corneal (eye) transplant, a dura mater (brain covering) transplant or human pituitary growth hormone, you are not eligible to donate. Those who have a close blood relative who had Creutzfeld-Jacob disease or who is in a family that has been told they have a genetic risk for Creutzfeld-Jacob disease are also not eligible to donate. Learn more about CJD.

Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, Variant (vCJD); "Mad Cow Disease"
See under Travel Outside of U.S. Learn more about vCJD and blood donation.

Dental Procedures
Acceptable after teeth cleaning, scaling, root canal, fillings and tooth extractions as long as there is no infection present. Wait for 3 days after having other types of oral surgery. Wait until finishing antibiotics for a dental infection.

Depression, Anxiety
Acceptable as long as you feel well and comfortable with the blood donation process. Medications for depression or anxiety do not disqualify you from donating.

Diabetes mellitus
Acceptable two weeks after starting insulin.
Medications to lower your glucose level do not disqualify you from donating. Those who since 1980, received an injection of bovine (beef) insulin made from cattle from the United Kingdom are not eligible to donate. This requirement is related to concerns about variant CJD, or 'mad cow' disease. Learn more about variant CJD and blood donation.

Donation Intervals
Wait at least 8 weeks between whole blood (standard) donations.
Wait at least 3 days between plateletpheresis donations.
Wait at least 16 weeks between double red cell (automated) donations.

Epilepsy, Seizures
Acceptable as long as you have been seizure-free for the last 3 months. Medications for seizures do not disqualify you from donating.

Heart Disease
In general , acceptable as long as you have no restrictions on your physical activities, take no medications for heart disease other than aspirin, and have no current ( within the last 6 months) heart-related symptoms such as chest pain.
Wait at least 6 months following an episode of angina.
Wait at least 6 months following a heart attack.
Wait at least 6 months after bypass surgery or angioplasty.
If you have a pacemaker, you may donate as long as your pulse is between 50 and 100 beats per minute with no more than a small number of irregular beats, and you meet the other heart disease criteria. You should discuss your particular situation with the health historian at the time of donation.

Heart Murmur, Heart Valve Disorder
Acceptable if you have a heart murmur as long as you have not had symptoms in the last 6 months, have no restrictions on your physical activity and are not taking any medications for heart disease other than prophylactic antibiotics (to prevent infections) or aspirin.

Hemochromatosis
American Red Cross does not accept individuals with hemochromatosis as blood donors for other persons at this time. Red Cross will continually re-evaluate this policy as more information accumulates.

Hemoglobin, Hematocrit, Blood Count
Acceptable if you have a hemoglobin at or above 12.5 g/dL.
Acceptable if you have a hematocrit at or above 38%.

Hepatitis, Jaundice
If you had hepatitis (inflammation of the liver) caused by a virus, or unexplained jaundice (yellow discoloration of the skin), since age 11, you are not eligible to donate blood. This includes those who had hepatitis with infectious mononucleosis.

Acceptable if you had jaundice or hepatitis caused by something other than a viral infection, for example: medications, Gilbert's disease, bile duct obstruction, alcohol, gallstones or trauma to the liver.

If you ever tested positive for hepatitis B or hepatitis C , at any age, you are not eligible to donate, even if you were never sick or jaundiced from the infection.

Hepatitis Exposure
Wait 12 months after close contact with someone who is sick with viral hepatitis. Close contact is defined as sexual contact or sharing the same household, kitchen, dormitory, or toilet facilities.

Wait 12 months after detention in a correctional institution, juvenile facility, lock-up or residence in a long-term psychiatric institution.

Wait 12 months after receiving a blood transfusion (unless it was your own "autologous" blood, blood injections, tattoo, non-sterile needle stick/body piercing or exposure to someone else's blood.

Wait 12 months following a human bite, if it broke the skin.

Herpes
Acceptable as long as you are feeling well.

HIV, AIDS
Those who are at increased risk for becoming infected with HIV are not eligible to donate blood. According to the Food and Drug Administration, you are at increased risk if:

you are a male who has had sex with another male since 1977, even once;
you have ever used a needle, even once, to take drugs or steroids that were not prescribed by a physician;
you have taken clotting factor concentrates for a bleeding disorder such as hemophilia;
you were born in or lived in Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Niger, or Nigeria since 1977 (This requirement is related to concerns about HIV Group O. Learn more about HIV Group O.)
you have taken drugs or money in exchange for sex since 1977;
you have ever had a positive test for HIV virus;
you have symptoms of HIV infection including unexplained weight loss, night sweats, blue or purple spots on or under the skin, long-lasting white spots or unusual sores in your mouth, lumps in your neck, armpits, or groin that last more than a month, fever higher than 99 degrees that lasts more than 10 days, diarrhea lasting over a month, or persistent cough and shortness of breath;

Wait for 12 months after close contact with someone who is at an increased risk for HIV infection. This occurs when paying to have sex, as a result of rape, or when having sex with an IV drug user.

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRP)
Women on hormone replacement therapy for menopausal symptoms and prevention of osteoporosis are eligible to donate.

Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)
See “Venereal Diseases”

Hypertension, High Blood Pressure
See “Blood Pressure, High

Immunization, Vaccination
Acceptable if you were vaccinated for influenza, tetanus or meningitis, providing you are symptom-free and fever-free.

Wait 4 weeks after immunizations for German Measles (Rubella), MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) and Chicken Pox.

Wait 2 weeks after immunizations for Red Measles (Rubeola), Mumps, Polio (by mouth), and Yellow Fever vaccine.

Wait 7 days after immunization for Hepatitis B as long as you are not given the immunization for exposure to hepatitis B.

Smallpox vaccination and did not develop complications
Wait 2 months (60 days) from the date of having a smallpox vaccination as long as you have had no complications. Complications may include skin reactions beyond the vaccination site or general illness related to the vaccination.
Smallpox vaccination and developed complications
Wait 14 days after all vaccine complications have resolved or 2 months (60 days) from the date of having had the smallpox vaccination whichever is the longer period of time. You should discuss your particular situation with the health historian at the time of donation. Complications may include skin reactions beyond the vaccination site or general illness related to the vaccination.
Smallpox vaccination – close contact with someone who has had the smallpox vaccine in the last eight weeks and you did not develop any skin lesions or other symptoms.
Eligible to donate.
Smallpox vaccination – close contact with someone who has had the vaccine in the last eight weeks and you have since a developed localized skin lesion only
Wait 2 months (60 days) from the date of the first skin lesion or sore. You should discuss your particular situation with the health historian at the time of donation. Complications may include skin reactions or general illness related to the exposure.
Smallpox vaccination – close contact with someone who has had the vaccine in the last eight weeks and you have since developed localized skin lesions and other complications
Wait 14 days after all vaccine complications have resolved or 2 months (60 days) from the date of the first symptom whichever is the longer period of time. You should discuss your particular situation with the health historian at the time of donation. Complications may include skin reactions or general illness related to the exposure.

Infections
If you have a fever or an active infection, wait until the infection has passed before donating blood.

Wait until finished taking antibiotics for an infection (bacterial or viral).

Infections with common herpes virus (cold sores or genital herpes) and Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) are acceptable as long as you feel well and do not have a fever.

Those who have had infections with Chagas Disease, babesiosis or leishmaniasis are not eligible to donate blood.

Infectious Mononucleosis, "Mono"
Acceptable if you had infectious mononucleosis ("mono") once the infection has passed, as long as you did not have hepatitis with the mononucleoisis.

Intravenous Drug Use
Those who have ever used IV drugs that were not prescribed by a physician are not eligible to donate. This requirement is related to concerns about hepatitis and HIV. Learn more about hepatitis and blood donation.

Lyme disease
If this is a chronic condition you cannot donate. If you were treated with antibiotics and completely recovered, you can donate 12 months after the last dose of antiobiotics was taken.

Malaria
Wait 3 years after completing treatment for malaria. Wait 12 months after returning from a trip to an area where malaria is found. Wait 3 years after moving to the United States after living in a country where malaria is found. Learn more about malaria and blood donation.

Marijuana, "Weed", "Pot", "Ganga"
Acceptable as long as you are not under the influence of marijuana at the time of donation.

Medications In almost all cases, medications will not disqualify you as a blood donor. Your eligibility will be based on the reason that the medication was prescribed. As long as the condition is under control and you are healthy, blood donation is usually permitted.

There are a handful of drugs that are of special significance in blood donation. Persons on these drugs have waiting periods following their last dose before they can donate blood:

Accutane (isoretinoin), Proscar (finasteride), and Propecia (finasteride) - wait 4 weeks.
Avodart (dutasteride) - wait 6 months from the last dose.
Aspirin, no waiting period for donating blood. However you must wait 48 hours after taking aspirin or any medication containing aspirin before donating platelets by apheresis.
Chemotherapy-type drugs used for conditions other than cancer ( examples: bleomycin, interferon, methotrexate) - wait 4 weeks from last dose.
Coumadin, heparin or other prescription blood thinners- you should not donate since your blood will not clot normally. If your doctor discontinues your treatment with blood thinners, wait 5 days before returning to donate.
Human pituitary-derived growth hormone at any time - you are not eligible to donate blood.
Lupron used for condition other than cancer - wait 4 months from last dose.
Plavix - wait 48 hours after taking this medication before donating platelets by apheresis.
Soriatane (acitretin) - wait 3 years.
Tegison (etretinate) at any time - you are not eligible to donate blood.
Ticlid - wait 48 hours after taking this medication before donating platelets by apheresis.

If you ever took Tegison (etretinate), you are not eligible to donate blood. If you ever took human pituitary-derived growth hormone, you are not eligible to donate blood. If you take aspirin, you can donate blood. However you must wait 48 hours after taking aspirin or any medication containing aspirin before donating platelets by apheresis. If you take Ticlid or Plavix, wait 48 hours after taking these medications before donating platelets by apheresis. If you are taking prescription blood thinners such as Coumadin or heparin, you should not donate since your blood will not clot normally. If your doctor discontinues your treatment with blood thinners, wait 5 days before returning to donate.

Menstruation
Women may donate during their period if feeling well on the day of donation.

Organ/Tissue Transplants
Wait 12 months after receiving an organ or tissue transplant from another person. This includes bone and dental powder. If you are taking medications to prevent rejection of the organ or tissue you are not eligible to donate.

If you ever received a corneal (eye) transplant or a dura mater (brain covering) transplant, you are not eligible to donate. This requirement is related to concerns about the brain disease, Creutzfeld-Jacob Disease (CJD). Learn more about CJD and blood donation.

Piercing (ears, body), Electrolysis
Acceptable as long as the instruments used were sterile, one time use.

Wait 12 months if there is any question whether or not the instruments used were sterile and free of blood contamination. This requirement is related to concerns about hepatitis. Learn more about hepatitis and blood donation.

Pregnancy, Nursing
Persons who are pregnant are not eligible to donate. Wait 6 weeks after giving birth. Acceptable if you are nursing, or recently had an elective abortion.

Sexually Transmitted Disease
Wait 12 months after treatment for syphilis or gonorrhea.

Sickle Cell
Acceptable if you have sickle cell trait. Those with sickle cell disease are not eligible to donate.

Skin Disease, Rash, Acne
Acceptable as long as the skin over the vein to be used to collect blood is not affected. If the skin disease has become infected, wait until the infection has cleared before donating. Taking antibiotics to control acne does not disqualify you from donating.

Surgery
Acceptable once the wound is healed and stitches are dissolved or removed, as long as the underlying condition is also acceptable in a blood donor. Wait 2 days after having stitches or staples for lacerations. If a laceration has become infected, wait until the infection has cleared before donating. Wait 12 months if you had a blood transfusion from another person during surgery.

Syphilis/Gonorrhea
Wait 12 months after being treated for syphilis or gonorrhea.

Tattoo
Wait 12 months after a tattoo. This requirement is related to concerns about hepatitis. Learn more about hepatitis and blood donation.

Tuberculosis
Acceptable if you have a positive skin test for tuberculosis, or if you are receiving antibiotics for a positive TB skin test only. If you are being treated for a tuberculosis infection, wait until treatment is successfully completed before donating.

Travel Outside of U.S., Immigration
Wait 12 months after travel in an area where malaria is found. Wait 3 years after moving to the United States after living in a country where malaria is found. Persons who have spent long periods of time in countries where "mad cow disease" is found are not eligible to donate. This requirement is related to concerns about variant Creutzfeld Jacob Disease (vCJD). Learn more about vCJD and donation. Persons who were born in or who lived in certain countries in Western Africa, or who have had close contact with persons who were born in or who lived in certain West African countries are not eligible to donate. This requirement is related to concerns about HIV Group O. Learn more about HIV Group O, and the specific African countries where it is found.

Venereal Diseases
See also “Sexually Transmitted Disease”
Wait 12 months after treatment for syphilis or gonorrhea.

Weight
You must weigh at least 110 Lbs to be eligible for blood donation for your own safety. Blood volume is in proportion to body weight. Donors who weight less than 110Lbs may not tolerate the removal of the required volume of blood as well as those who weigh more than 110Lbs. There is no upper weight limit as long as your weight is not higher than the weight limit of the donor bed/lounge you are using. You can discuss any upper weight limitations of beds and lounges with your local health historian.

Last updated: 9/16/04
By: R.A.R.,MD and M.A.P., RN,BSN

Note to users: Eligibility guidelines may have changed since this information was last updated. For current information, please contact the American Red Cross blood region nearest you.