# Does Giving Blood Hurt? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 18, 2003, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-giving-blood-hurt/189442 "2003-07-18T18:43:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Isabelle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b5a626/32.png) [@Isabelle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isabelle)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2003, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-giving-blood-hurt/189442/1 "2003-07-18T18:43:19Z")
What does it feel like to donate blood? I heard the needle was the size of a nail. I would donate if it didn’t hurt. Do you always feel faint afterwards? ---
**Author:** ![Kn\_ckers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/96bed5/32.png) [@Kn\_ckers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kn_ckers)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2003, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-giving-blood-hurt/189442/2 "2003-07-18T19:05:13Z")
Giving blood does not hurt. There is a slight prick when they put in the needle, and then you don’t feel much of anything during the donation; maybe an odd feeling in your arm, where the needle is inserted. But if you look away, it’s pretty easy to ignore. The site where they stick you heals in a couple of days. Only some people feel faint afterwards. If you are healthy and have eaten and had plenty of water when you go to donate, you’re less likely to feel faint. Please, if you can donate, DO! There is a desperate blood shortage, and a lot of lives depend on it. Plus, they give you free food after you donate, so that’s GOT to make it worthwhile! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Kn\_ckers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/96bed5/32.png) [@Kn\_ckers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kn_ckers)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2003, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-giving-blood-hurt/189442/3 "2003-07-18T19:15:09Z")
Oh, and the needle really isn’t that huge. It’s even less huge if you close your eyes and think happy thoughts (Okay, TECHNICALLY, it’s still the same size. But it’s not as daunting). ---
**Author:** ![FatBaldGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecd19e/32.png) [@FatBaldGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FatBaldGuy)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2003, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-giving-blood-hurt/189442/4 "2003-07-18T19:17:17Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by Kn_ckers \* > \*\*The site where they stick you heals in a couple of days. > \*\* More like a couple of hours. I give blood frequently and have never had any problems. Take your fingers and pinch the skin on the inside of your elbow for a second. Thats about the extent of the pain. Just a momentary poke and then your’e fine. By all means, give blood. It’s a good feeling to help out other people. ---
**Author:** ![Master\_Wang-Ka](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/master_wang-ka/32/3325_2.png) [@Master\_Wang-Ka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Master_Wang-Ka)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2003, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-giving-blood-hurt/189442/5 "2003-07-18T19:17:24Z")
I’ve never felt faint afterwards. They only take a pint. ---
**Author:** ![Isabelle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b5a626/32.png) [@Isabelle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isabelle)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2003, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-giving-blood-hurt/189442/6 "2003-07-18T19:18:08Z")
How do I know that the blood I DONATE is NOT being sold for cash? ---
**Author:** ![Lamia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Lamia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamia)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2003, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-giving-blood-hurt/189442/7 "2003-07-18T19:25:15Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Isabelle \* > \*\*How do I know that the blood I DONATE is NOT being sold for cash? \*\* I don’t know, how do you know that? _I_ know because I am not a paranoid lunatic, and because there is no sane reason to suspect that the Red Cross is engaged in a vast illegal blood-selling conspiracy. But that’s just me. ---
**Author:** ![Isabelle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b5a626/32.png) [@Isabelle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isabelle)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2003, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-giving-blood-hurt/189442/8 "2003-07-18T19:29:27Z")
I ask because not too long ago there was a segment on the news that the local REd Cross was found to be selling blood to other countries. I did not hear the full segment so I don’t know the rest of the details. I wish I had heard it. ---
**Author:** ![Mockingbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c68b51/32.png) [@Mockingbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mockingbird)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2003, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-giving-blood-hurt/189442/9 "2003-07-18T19:37:32Z")
If the phlebotomist knows what they are doing, there doesn’t have to be any real pain associated with venipuncture. AFAIK, the Red Cross doesn’t sell blood. Baxter and a few other companies run plasma centers where the donors are paid, and then the final product is sold to different hospitals. ---
**Author:** ![Lamia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Lamia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamia)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2003, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-giving-blood-hurt/189442/10 "2003-07-18T19:42:51Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Isabelle \* > \*\*I ask because not too long ago there was a segment on the news that the local REd Cross was found to be selling blood to other countries. I did not hear the full segment so I don’t know the rest of the details. I wish I had heard it. \*\* I was far too snarky above, and I apologize. I took your question to be an accusation that the Red Cross is involved in shady black-market blood dealing, but you may have just wanted to know if money ever changes hands. The answer to that would be yes – which should be obvious, as the Red Cross has to pay for staff, equipment, facilities, etc. That’s how charities manage to stay in business. It doesn’t bother me that Goodwill charges people for the old clothes I donated to them. The Red Cross is a respectable non-profit group, and while I’m sure they’re not perfect I don’t think there’s much cause to suspect them of anything too underhanded. And people really do need the blood. ---
**Author:** ![Isabelle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b5a626/32.png) [@Isabelle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isabelle)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2003, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-giving-blood-hurt/189442/11 "2003-07-18T19:52:12Z")
I have A+ I wonder if they need that type. I guess I can call the Red Cross on Monday and ask them. I’m still a little scared but from the posts it sounds like it shouldn’t be so bad. I have seen stickers that say: “I’m a 5 gallon donor” That is A LOT of blood to donate!!! ---
**Author:** ![FisherQueen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/58f4c7/32.png) [@FisherQueen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FisherQueen)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2003, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-giving-blood-hurt/189442/12 "2003-07-18T20:05:08Z")
I am a gigantic baby, and put off doing it for a long time because of the needle. But I finally decided that if people needed my blood, it was stupid of me not to give it just because I’m a gigantic baby. So I recently gave for the first time. And it honestly isn’t that bad. There’s a little prick when the needle goes in- it’s no worse than getting a regular shot from the doctor. I didn’t really feel anything at all while they were drawing the blood. I was surprised to find that not only did the sight of my blood not bother me, but I was kind of fascinated to watch the bag fill up. But you can turn your head if you want, and you don’t have to see the needle or the bag. It really doesn’t hurt at all. I got a nice-looking male nurse to look at. And free cookies. And warm fuzzies for giving blood that somebody needed. And a pin. Can’t beat that. So yeah, I’ll do it again, with way less cowardice next time. Go for it. ---
**Author:** ![js\_africanus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/87869e/32.png) [@js\_africanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/js_africanus)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2003, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-giving-blood-hurt/189442/13 "2003-07-18T20:06:06Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Isabelle \* > \*\*I have A+ I wonder if they need that type. \*\* They need all types. It does hurt a little. You may pass out–they make people stick around and drink juice for a reason. But that’s no reason not to give blood. Go do it. ---
**Author:** ![js\_africanus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/87869e/32.png) [@js\_africanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/js_africanus)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2003, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-giving-blood-hurt/189442/14 "2003-07-18T20:12:24Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Isabelle \* > \*\*I have A+ I wonder if they need that type. \*\* They need all types. It does hurt a little. You may pass out–they make people stick around and drink juice for a reason. But that’s no reason not to give blood. Go do it. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2003, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-giving-blood-hurt/189442/15 "2003-07-18T20:21:02Z")
I’ve been donating for 25 years, and it’s never hurt once. My father has a rare type, so I grew up with him donating, and I donated as soon as I turned 18, and my daughter, I’m happy to say, started as soon as she turned 18. My understanding is that they need blood desperately. Let us know how it turns out. You won’t be sorry you did it. ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2003, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-giving-blood-hurt/189442/16 "2003-07-18T20:29:39Z")
You walk in and fill out a questionnaire about diseases, if you’re pregnant, if you’ve been to certain countries, etc. Then they take you to a little room where they take your blood pressure, ask you a few more questions about your sex life (have you had sex with anyone for drugs and money, etc, to screen for HIV) and take a tiny pinprick of blood from your finger to test your iron. Then they take you to a lounge chair, stick the needle in, and you’re given a ball to squeeze and a soda or juice to sip. When you’re done, they bandage your arm, give you cookies and a nice sticker, and that’s it. It takes about 45 minutes or so. Plus you get a warm and fuzzy feeling for helping your fellow humans. ::ivylass, who’s one pint away from a gallon:: ---
**Author:** ![Tyler\_Do\_Urden](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3bc359/32.png) [@Tyler\_Do\_Urden](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tyler_Do_Urden)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2003, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-giving-blood-hurt/189442/17 "2003-07-18T20:38:46Z")
I’m O neg with big juicy veins. The Red Cross loves me. Not tooting my own horn but just noting that I give as often as I can. In fact, I just did it yesterday. As other’s have said, there is a _slight_ pinch when it first goes in and then not much afterwards. There is a mild chance of light headedness but that will soon pass. There is a very small chance that you could pass out. I emphasize small. In all my time, I’ve seen one person go down. I like to race people on other beds to see who can fill up the bag faster. 🙂 In fact, giving blood is one of my favorite things to do. You just can’t beat the warm fuzzy feeling, being appreciated, and free cookies and juice! It’s like kindergarden! ---
**Author:** ![Zenham](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a5b964/32.png) [@Zenham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zenham)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2003, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-giving-blood-hurt/189442/18 "2003-07-18T20:53:46Z")
It only hurts when they don’t know what they’re doing. This, from a frequent donor. Otherwise, it’s a mild pressure/pain which is not really painful so much as uncomfortable… I’m sure it won’t be too much for you at all. Just… if it DOES hurt, tell them to stop. Seriously. If they can’t get a needle into you without causing you all sorts of painful conniptions, they’re doing damage to your arm, and you really, really need to tell them that. ---
**Author:** ![AbbySthrnAccent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eb9ed0/32.png) [@AbbySthrnAccent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AbbySthrnAccent)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2003, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-giving-blood-hurt/189442/19 "2003-07-18T21:17:00Z")
It can hurt depending on the skill of the phlebotomist, but it doesn’t usually. In the past 15 years, I’ve only felt faint twice after donating, neither time did I actually “faint”. ---
**Author:** ![amarinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3be4f8/32.png) [@amarinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarinth)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2003, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-giving-blood-hurt/189442/20 "2003-07-18T23:01:43Z")
It (sadly) depends on the phlebotomist. (I hope I didn’t spell that too badly) I’ve donated 2+ gallons (which is hard when you’ve got low iron.) and it’s only hurt once (she just completely screwed up needle placement, and even then it hasn’t been bad) the rest has been negligible. And it’s healed within the hour. (You don’t even have to watch - (I do, I like watching it splurt. It reminds me that I’m alive.)) I’ve also only felt faint once. Give blood, it’s needed. Really really needed. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-giving-blood-hurt/189442.md?page=2)