Donating plasma is an incredibly generous and beneficial act that can help save lives. It is an important process in the medical industry, as it is used to produce life-saving treatments for patients with serious illnesses. However, certain conditions and activities could disqualify a person from being able to donate plasma.
- Health Questionnaire: Before donating, you must complete a health questionnaire about your medical history and any medications you take. This helps the medical staff determine whether you are a good candidate for donating plasma.
- Age: You must be at least 18 years of age to donate plasma.
- Weight: You must weigh at least 110 pounds to be eligible to donate.
- Infectious Diseases: You cannot have any infectious diseases, such as HIV, hepatitis, or syphilis.
- Drug Use: You must not use any non-prescription drugs, such as marijuana or steroids. You must also not have used any needles to inject drugs.
- Alcohol and Tobacco Use: You must not have had any alcohol within the last 24 hours or any tobacco products within the last 48 hours.
- Recent Surgery or Vaccines: You must not have had any major surgery within the last six months or any vaccinations within the last two weeks.
- Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: Women must not be pregnant or breastfeeding to donate plasma.
- Vital Signs: You must have normal blood pressure (less than 140/90) and a normal pulse (60-100 beats per minute). The temperature must be below 99.5 degrees Fahrenheit and the pulse must be between 50 and 100 beats per minute. Finally, your hemoglobin must be at least 12.5 g/dL.
- Total protein: Your total protein level must be at least 6.0 g/dL.
What Can You Do to Prepare For The Plasma Donation Screening
Adopting a healthy diet is essential for a successful plasma donation. Be sure to drink plenty of fluids and eat plenty of protein and iron-rich foods before your donation. Avoid caffeine, as this can affect your pulse reading. Here are some tips to help you prepare for a successful plasma donation:
1. Drink plenty of fluids: Staying hydrated before donating is important. This will help keep your veins open and ensure a successful donation.
2. Eat plenty of protein and iron-rich foods: Protein and iron are essential for healthy red blood cells. Make sure to eat lots of lean meats, fish, eggs, nuts, and legumes before donating.
3. Avoid caffeine: Caffeine can affect your pulse reading, so it is best to avoid it before donating.
4. Get plenty of rest: Make sure to get enough rest before your donation. This will help make sure that you are in the best condition possible for your donation.
To Sum Up
Donating plasma is a wonderful way to give back to the community and help those in need. However, it is important to be aware of the rules and regulations in place to protect the safety of both the donor and the recipient. Various medical and lifestyle factors can disqualify a person from donating plasma, including infections, medical conditions, drug use, tattoos, and pregnancy. It is important to adhere to the guidelines set by the plasma donation center in order to ensure the safety of all involved.
Looking to donate plasma? thplasma is a plasma-donation company driven by innovation. Get started here.