This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here. Your immune system will quickly replace the antibodies. Seek urgent medical advice if you have any signs of an allergic reaction (such as hives; difficulty breathing; facial or throat swelling). General eligibility criteria. Blood is a lot more complex than it looks. If your doctor discontinues your treatment with blood thinners, wait 7 days before returning to donate. There is no upper age limit for blood donation as long as you are well with no restrictions or limitations to your activities. (This may vary based on your height. This content does not have an Arabic version. Herpes infections are highly contagious and you should cover your rash and avoid intimate contact. 1998-2023 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). If you received an injection of cadaveric pituitary human growth hormone (hGH) you cannot donate. Most medications do not prevent you from donating blood. Read more about the national blood shortage. Eligible 16-year-olds can donate blood in Minnesota. Does not appear to have any clinically significant drug-drug or drug-food interactions. Acyclovir also passes into breastmilk. If you are receiving antibiotics for a positive TB skin test or blood test only or if you are being treated for a tuberculosis infection, wait until treatment is successfully completed before donating. Keep valacyclovir suspension in the refrigerator and shake well before use. Donors with clotting disorder from Factor V who are not on anticoagulants are eligible to donate; however, all others must be evaluated by the health historian at the collection center. The truth is that most people with tattoos can donate blood, as long as they do not have certain . Acceptable as long as your pulse is no more than 100 and no less than 50. The risk is higher in people with kidney disease and those receiving higher than the recommended dosage of valacyclovir. If you ever received a dura mater (brain covering) transplant you are not eligible to donate. Considervolunteeringorhosting a blood drivethrough the Red Cross. The easiest way to lookup drug information, identify pills, check interactions and set up your own personal medication records. Individuals with questions about their donation eligibility can contact the Red Cross Donor and Client Support Center at 1-866-236-3276. But to be eligible, youll need to know and be able to give the name of your COVID-19 vaccines manufacturer. However you must wait 14 days after taking this medication before donating platelets by apheresis. Feldene (piroxicam), no waiting period for donating whole blood. And you are never too old to donate blood. Subscribe to Drugs.com newsletters for the latest medication news, new drug approvals, alerts and updates. It may help to not watch the needle as it is inserted, and you don't have to see the blood. Valacyclovir is an antiviral prodrug that is rapidly converted into acyclovir in the body. Approved manufacturers include Johnson & Johnson, Moderna, Novavax, and Pfizer. In some countries national legislation permits 16-17 year-olds to donate provided that they fulfil the physical and hematological criteria required and that appropriate consent is obtained. Medications - While taking some medications means you can't donate, most are ok. Acceptable after finishing oral antibiotics for an infection (bacterial or viral). This results in concentrations in the body that are comparable to those achieved with IV acyclovir. Most chronic illnesses are acceptable as long as you feel well, the condition is under control, and you meet all other eligibility requirements. According to the eligibility guidelines set by the FDA, if you qualify to donate blood, in most cases, you can do it any time after youve had your COVID-19 vaccine. Valacyclovir is an oral tablet that only needs to be taken twice daily, compared to five times daily for acyclovir. Wait at least 6 months after bypass surgery or angioplasty. What foods should I eat or avoid when taking Brilinta? You have not donated blood in the past 56 days. Considervolunteeringorhosting a blood drivethrough the Red Cross. We avoid using tertiary references. During the appointment, donors will complete a brief health questionnaire with a Mayo Clinic health care professional to make sure blood donation is safe for both the donor and the recipient of the blood. HPV is most commonly spread via skin-to-skin contact with someone who has the virus. If you are taking any medication, even if it is not listed here, please call the MSK Blood Donor Room at 212-639-7648 or email [emailprotected]to determine your eligibility. Certain medications may delay your ability to donate blood. Wait for 3 months after receiving a blood transfusion from another person. You can also help peoplefacing emergencies by making a financial donationto support the Red Crosss greatest needs. Common medications that may interact with valacyclovir include: Alcohol should be avoided while taking valacyclovir because it weakens the immune system and may exacerbate the side effects of valacyclovir. Acceptable if you meet all eligibility criteria and donation intervals. And, yes, you can donate blood if you are taking medication for high blood pressure. The Red Cross does not test blood donations for the presence of tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, the principle psychoactive component of the cannabis plant. Treatment may last from one to 14 days depending on the condition being treated and the immunocompetency of the person being treated. In some cases, you cant donate blood based on certain health issues or your travel history. Acceptable as long as the skin over the vein to be used to collect blood is not affected. Make your tax-deductible gift today, and be a part of cutting-edge research and care that's changing medicine as it's known today. Forbes added that donating blood after getting a shot will not impact the efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine. This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. 2. Whole blood donation takes about 45-60 minutes. You can call 866-236-3276 to speak with an eligibility specialist about your travel. Medications for high blood pressure do not disqualify you from donating. All additional blood donation eligibility criteria will apply. Donating blood plasma is similar to donating blood. Cellcept (mycophenolate mofetil) an immunosuppressant wait 6 weeks. Some medications affect your eligibility as a blood donor, for the following reasons: Experimental Medication or Unlicensed (Experimental) Vaccine is usually associated with a research study, and the effect on the safety of transfused blood is unknown. The dosage of valacyclovir needs to be reduced in people with kidney disease. If you have recurring cold sores, initiate treatment as soon as possible following the onset of symptoms (tingling, burning, or itching). Each whole blood donation may help as many as three people. Whether you can donate blood if you have HPV isnt conclusive. You can be exposed to malaria through travel and travel in some areas can sometimes defer donors. If you've recently gotten a tattoo, traveled abroad or take medications . Here are some resources you can use to figure out whether you can donate blood: Wondering if you have herpes and want to know before you donate blood? Some people are at high risk of bloodborne infections, which makes them ineligible to donate blood. These high-risk groups include: Your medical record is viewed only as needed by Mayo Clinic Blood Program nurses and physicians. You must wait 3 days after taking Effient (prasugrel) before donating platelets by apheresis. You'll be notified if any of these tests are positive. Wait until finishing antibiotics for a dental infection. Illness Deferrals Information About Medications Common medications such as those used to control blood pressure, birth control pills and over-the-counter medications do not affect your eligibility. Finasteride products also treat hair loss. Individualson oral contraceptives or using other forms of birth control are eligible to donate. How long should Brilinta be held/stopped before surgery? Persons who are pregnant are not eligible to donate. If you have a fever or an active infection, wait until the infection has resolved completely before donating blood. For example, if you take aspirin products on Monday, the soonest you can donate platelets is Thursday. When you donate blood, you're helping others and giving back to your community. Wait 2 weeks if you were vaccinated with a live attenuated COVID-19 vaccine. Your gift enables the Red Cross to ensure an ongoing blood supply, provide humanitarian support to families in need and prepare communities by teaching lifesaving skills. Persons under the age of 17 may, however, donate blood for their own use, in advance of scheduled surgery or in situations where their blood has special medical value for a particular patient such as a family member. Students who donate at high school drives and donors 18 years of age or younger must also meet additional height and weight requirements for whole blood donation (applies to girls shorter than 5'5" and boys shorter than 5'). WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Consider volunteering,or hosting a blood drivethrough the Red Cross. Only healthy people should donate blood, Doctors says, blood banks will accept a donation 24 hours after cold symptoms have passed. Clicking on links above and printing the forms, Calling the Mayo Clinic Blood Donor Program at, Obtaining copies at one of the donation center locations or a mobile blood drive, Anyone who has used injected drugs, steroids or another substance not prescribed by a doctor in the past three months, Men who have had sexual contact with other men in the past three months, Anyone who has a congenital coagulation factor deficiency, Anyone who has engaged in sex for money or drugs in the past three months, Anyone who, in the past 12 months, has had close contact with lived with or had sexual contact with a person who has viral hepatitis, Anyone who has had babesiosis, a rare and severe tick-borne disease, or the parasitic infection Chagas' disease. Headaches, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain are the most commonly reported side effects. The Blood Donor Program welcomes regular and repeat healthy donors so that it has a steady blood supply for people in need. Canadian standards for blood donation dictates that 17 is the earliest age at which you can donate blood. Yes. Platelet donors may donate as often as every eight days, and up to 24 times in a 12-month period. This requirement is related to concerns about the brain disease, Creutzfeld-Jacob Disease (CJD). Eligibility depends on the type of cancer and treatment history. Just as with blood donation, you dont have to wait to give platelets or plasma after youve had your COVID-19 vaccine as long as you know the vaccine manufacturer. Available for Android and iOS devices. Dont donate if you have: If you have side effects from the COVID-19 vaccine, wait until they go away. But you cant donate them at a blood drive because a special machine is used to remove just the platelets and return the remaining blood back to your body. If you received this vaccine after an exposure to Monkeypox, you cannot donate for 21 days after your last exposure. Tested positive for COVID-19 with or without symptoms in the last 14 days, Had COVID-19 symptoms in the last 14 days, Weigh at least 110 pounds. Revised 07/2021.TIME CAP LABORATORIES, INC. Contact your blood donation center if you develop COVID-19 symptoms after youve given blood. These medications are not usually taken together. You weigh at least 110 lbs. Not have had any symptoms of infection e.g. Learn how blood donations help those affected by Sickle Cell Disease. Anticoagulants, or blood thinners, prevent blood from clotting. Because plasma is part of your blood, the same rules apply if you have herpes, whether you have HSV-1 or HSV-2: Maybe. The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely. If you take any of these, you may not be eligible to donate platelets for a certain time period. These viruses cause illnesses such as cold sores, genital herpes, and shingles. No. Reach out online to a hospital or medical facility that has a blood donor services team. "Those antibodies remain in your blood and they are also in other parts of your body as . Wait 2 weeks after immunizations for Red Measles (Rubeola), Mumps, Polio (by mouth), and Yellow Fever vaccine. Wait until theyre dry and healed. There are other ways to give. If, in the past 3 years, you have been outside the United States or Canada: Acceptable if you are healthy and well and have been vaccinated for measles more than 4 weeks ago or were born before 1956. According to American Red Cross guidelines, people can donate blood as long as their blood pressure is between 90/50 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) and 80/100 mm Hg. Cold, Flu and Other Types of Illness If you don't feel well on the day of your donation, please call to cancel. Yes, you can donate blood even if you have herpes but only if you're not having an outbreak of symptoms and if it's been more than 48 hours since you finished an antiviral treatment. People with diabetes can donate blood if they meet certain eligibility requirements. You'll also be given a. When you donate blood, a special machine is used to separate plasma from blood and make plasma available to be given to a donor. At other times, always use a condom, because herpes can be transmitted in the absence of symptoms. Donor Deferral for Men Who Have Had Sex With Men (MSM). Speak to your doctor about how drug interactions should be managed. See your doctor to get tested for herpes and other common sexually transmitted infections (STIs), especially if youve recently had sex with a new partner. Wait until you have completed antibiotic treatment for sinus, throat or lung infection. Wait 3 years after living more than 5 years in a country or countries where malaria is found. Come prepared to your donation process with your travel details when you donate. Anticoagulants Anticoagulants, or blood thinners, prevent blood from clotting. Dont donate plasma if any lesions or sores are actively infected. Not have had a fever in the last 4 weeks. Plasma donors may donate as often as every 28 days. If you have been diagnosed with Zika virus infection, wait more than 120 days after your symptoms resolve to donate. Do not give blood if you have AIDS or have ever had a positive HIV test, or if you have done something that puts you at risk for becoming infected with HIV. As long as the condition is under control and you are healthy, blood donation is usually permitted. You may also search eligibility topics by keyword. When you come to donate blood at the American Red Cross, we measure your blood pressure, pulse, temperature, and hemoglobin because the results provide information about your current health at the time of your donation. You must weigh at least 110 lbs to be eligible for blood donation for your own safety. However, you must wait 2 full days after taking aspirin or any medication containing aspirin before donating platelets by apheresis. Platelets are small, tiny cell fragments that form clots to stop you from bleeding. Tegison (etretinate) at any time you are not eligible to donate blood. Evaluation is on a case by case basis. Wait 3 months after using IV drugs that were not prescribed by a physician. Those with sickle cell disease are not eligible to donate. You can call 866-236-3276 to speak with an eligibility specialist about your travel. However, you must wait 2 days after taking Feldene (piroxicam) before donating platelets by apheresis. The length of time you must wait to donate will depend on the requirements of the plasma donation site and the type of antibiotic. Anyone who has taken the psoriasis medication etretinate (Tegison), which has been discontinued in the U.S. This is because the antibodies you develop from the viral infection are different from those you develop after youve had the vaccine. Acceptable as long as you do not have any limitations on daily activities and are not having difficulty breathing at the time of donation and you otherwise feel well. Can you drink alcohol while taking Brilinta? Individuals who have been deferred for MSM in the past can initiate donor reinstatement by contacting the Red Cross Donor and Client Support Center at 1-866-236-3276. It may take up to three days before a reduction in symptoms occurs. The FDA has given emergency authorization for convalescent plasma therapy with high antibody levels to treat COVID-19. Lower risk in-situ cancers including squamous or basal cell cancers of the skin that have been completely removed and healed do not require a 12-month waiting period. Talk with your health care provider before starting or stopping any medications. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. If you had leukemia or lymphoma, including Hodgkins Disease and other cancers of the blood, you are not eligible to donate. Wait 3 years after completing treatment for malaria. Anyone who has risk factors for the degenerative brain disorder Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), Anyone who spent three months or more in the United Kingdom from 1980 through 1996, Anyone who received a blood transfusion in the United Kingdom or France from 1980 to the present, Anyone who has spent time that adds up to five years or more in France or Ireland from 1980 to 2001. The .gov means its official. Other types of cancer are acceptable if the cancer has been treated successfully and it has been more than 12 months since treatment was completed and there has been no cancer recurrence in this time. In Minnesota you can donate whole blood every 84 days, at minimum. Valacyclovir does not cure genital herpes or completely rid the body of herpes or varicella zoster virus. Getting a tattoo or piercing recently from a licensed establishment does not make you ineligible to donate blood. If you are taking valacyclovir for genital herpes or cold sores avoid sexual contact until you have finished the course of treatment. Acceptable as long as you feel well, have no fever, and have no problems breathing through your mouth. Separate requirements for hemoglobin level apply for Power Red. General Eligibility Requirements This makes it more convenient for people to take. The reason for antibiotic use must be evaluated to determine if the donor has a bacterial infection that could be transmissible by blood. Medicines that interact with valacyclovir may either decrease its effect, affect how long it works, increase side effects, or have less of an effect when taken with valacyclovir. Thalomid (thalidomide capsule). Medications That May Delay Your Donation. Effient (prasugrel) and Brilinta (ticagrelor) no waiting period for donating whole blood. For the purposes of blood donation gender is self-identified and self-reported, which is relevant to the transgender community. At Mayo Clinic donor centers, you'll have access to wireless internet, a television and movies during the donation process. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Individuals with low blood volumes may not tolerate the removal of the required volume of blood given with whole blood donation. Tattoos or piercings: You cannot donate blood if you got a tattoo or piercing in the last 3 months in some states. Its also worth knowing a few of the details of when you can or cant donate blood, and if you have a temporary infection or condition that may make you unable to donate. This requirement is related to concerns about hepatitis. 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 must also wait a year to donate blood if: The following drugs are no longer available in the United States. If youre thinking about donating your blood but you just got the COVID-19 vaccine or are planning to get it soon, there are few things you need to keep in mind before you give. Discuss any upper weight limitations of beds and lounges with your local health historian. Injectable HIV Prevention (PrEP and PEP) medications Apretude (cabotegravir ) are shots given for exposure to HIV, you must wait 2 years after the last dose of medication to donate. Available at: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2015/205266Orig1s000lbl.pdf. Donated blood benefits people in local hospitals who need blood transfusions. Wait 3 months if a piercing was performed using a reusable gun or any reusable instrument. As long as youre not actively infected or the virus has left your body, you can donate blood. More information about the FDA policy is available for LGBTQ+ donors. You are at risk for getting infected if you: Do not give blood if you have any of the following conditions that can be signs or symptoms of HIV/AIDS. When you donate blood, you only give about 1 pint. Those who have tested positive for COIVD-19 antibodies but didn't have a diagnostic test and never developed symptoms can donate without a waiting period or having a diagnostic test done before donation. Yes, you can donate blood even if you have herpes but only if youre not having an outbreak of symptoms and if its been more than 48 hours since you finished an antiviral treatment. Precancerous conditions of the uterine cervix do not disqualify you from donation if the abnormality has been treated successfully. If you take these drugs and donate blood, you may experience excessive bleeding and bruising. How long does it take for Brilinta to work? Not have taken medication, herbal supplements or traditional herbal remedies for at least 3 days. Resistant strains of HSV and VZV have been reported. Odomzo (sonidegib) capsules, for oral use. Copyright 1996-2023 Drugs.com. If you get a nonreplicating, inactivated or mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccine, you can donate blood without a waiting period. However, if a live attenuated viral COVID-19 vaccine becomes available and you get it, wait 14 days after being vaccinated before donating blood. To donate, you must be symptom-free from cold, flu or fever on the day of donation. Acceptable if you have sickle cell trait. For all donors, the hemoglobin level can be no greater than 20 g/dL. Wait at least 6 months following an episode of angina. However, you must be off of aspirin for at least 2 full days in order to donate platelets by apheresis. Blood typing is a test that determines a persons blood type, and it's key if you need a blood transfusion or are planning to donate blood. Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Eastern time), Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Eastern time). It is not necessarily surgery but the underlying condition that precipitated the surgery that requires evaluation before donation. Valacyclovir works in several different ways to prevent these viruses from replicating. See: Antibiotics, Hepatitis, HIV, Syphilis/Gonorrhea, and Tuberculosis. You can donate as long as you don't have symptoms of COVID-19 and feel well when youre about to donate. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Donors who were previously deferred under the prior MSM policy will be evaluated for reinstatement. Acceptable as long as you feel well when you come to donate, and your blood pressure is at least 90/50 (systolic/diastolic). Wait until finished taking oral antibiotics for an infection (bacterial or viral). If you have traveled or lived in a malaria-risk country, a waiting period is required before you can donate blood.