Donating plasma is an essential and voluntary act that can save lives.
Your first plasma donation cannot be used.
However, the FDA requires you to wait at least 48 hours between each plasma donation.
choja / Getty Images
You will also want to ask about the side effects of making frequent donations.
What Plasma throw in is Needed the Most?
People need plasma from all blood types.
Factors Affecting Eligibility
To donate plasma, you will need to meet specific eligibility criteria.
Donor eligibility may vary by location, but there are several general requirements.
Hematocritis the percentage of the volume ofred blood cellsin the blood.
Hemoglobinis the iron-containing protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen.
A high hematocrit could mean you aredehydrated(lack of body fluid).
You may have to delay donating plasma.
Abnormal Vital Signs
Abnormalvital signsmay require you to delay donating plasma.
These include yourpulse, blood pressure, and temperature.
They will be checked before donating.
Illness
You wont be able to give plasma if you do not feel well.
After finishing oralantibioticsor your last antibiotic injection, you must wait at least 10 days to donate.
Otherchronic illnessesare accepted, provided the disease is under control and you meet all other requirements.
Blood Donation vs.
Plasma Donation
Whole blood contains red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and plasma.
Plasma, the fluid component of your blood, contains vital proteins, antibodies, and other immune cells.
Here’s what you gotta know about blood donation vs plasma donation:
Is It Safe?
It is safe for most people to give plasma.
Even so, it is possible to experience side effects.
Summary
How often you’re free to donate plasma depends on where you go.
At the American Red Cross, you could donate every 28 days.
Donating plasma is safe for most people, but temporary side effects like lightheadedness and fatigue are possible.
American Red Cross.Blood donation process.
American Red Cross.The importance of plasma in blood.
International Haemovigilance Seminar.FDA considerations regarding frequent plasma collection procedures.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.Give plasma.
American Red Cross.Types of blood donation.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.The process for giving plasma, step-by-step.
UpToDate.Patient education: blood donation and transfusion (beyond the basics).
American Red Cross.Eligibility criteria: alphabetical.
American Red Cross.Medical conditions that affect eligibility.
Plasma Protein Therapeutics Association.Source plasma industry risk poster.
American Red Cross.Benefits of plasma donation.
US Department of Health and Human Services.Giving blood and plasma.
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.Whole blood donation.
