# WTC: Who CAN'T give blood? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 11, 2001, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtc-who-cant-give-blood/80896 "2001-09-11T18:46:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![lawoot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/35a633/32.png) [@lawoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lawoot)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2001, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtc-who-cant-give-blood/80896/1 "2001-09-11T18:46:41Z")
Just wonderingm in the aftermath of the WTC attack. Who cannot give blood (according to the red cross)? I tried their website, but I can’t get through. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2001, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtc-who-cant-give-blood/80896/2 "2001-09-11T19:01:41Z")
Diabetics, gosh darn it. My blood can’t even keep ME alive without artificial flavorings. ---
**Author:** ![Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/96bed5/32.png) [@Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patty_O_Furniture)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2001, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtc-who-cant-give-blood/80896/3 "2001-09-11T19:02:41Z")
I can’t get through to them either, but I found this: [http://www.who.int/bct/Main\_areas\_of\_work/BTS/Blood%20Donors.htm](http://www.who.int/bct/Main_areas_of_work/BTS/Blood%20Donors.htm) > [@](#): > > Individuals who have ever suffered from hepatitis B, hepatitis C or AIDS should not donate blood. Those who practice high-risk behaviour for sexually or intravenously (drugs) transmitted viruses should also not donate blood. > > \ > > People who are anaemic cannot donate blood. However, they should undergo treatment for anaemia and can donate blood once the haemoglobin is within normal range. ---
**Author:** ![lee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lee/32/7455_2.png) [@lee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lee)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2001, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtc-who-cant-give-blood/80896/4 "2001-09-11T19:04:01Z")
If you spent a significant time in Europe then you are not allowed because of mad cow disease worries. You can’t give blood if you are HIV positive. You can’t give it if you are underweight. There are other restrictions. ---
**Author:** ![Balance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ccd318/32.png) [@Balance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balance)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2001, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtc-who-cant-give-blood/80896/5 "2001-09-11T19:08:14Z")
Here’s the first list I could find, for the Pennsylvania Blood Bank. I think the Red Cross restrictions are somewhat stricter. In addition to the situations listed below, people who are currently suffering from any infectious ailment should not donate, and I know from personal experience that anyone who has been treated for Lyme disease (and therefore presumably had Lyme disease) is discouraged from donating for 6 months after the treatment is completed. Allergies–Donors with active allergies are asked to wait until theyare symptom-free. Asthma–Acceptable, if there have been no symptoms without medication (other than inhalers) for the past 6 months; otherwise, donor will be deferred. Blood Pressure–There are no restrictions for blood pressure medication, however, blood pressure must be within our acceptable range. Cancer–Individuals with a history of melanoma, lymphoma or leukemia are permanently deferred. Individuals with a history of basal cell carcinoma of the skin are acceptable. Those with a history of other types of cancer will be referred to a hospital. Diabetes–There is no restriction, if the diabetes is controlled by diet or oral medication. Those requiring insulin injections may not donate. Ear Piercing–Acceptable, when done in a sterile environment. Non-sterile, defer for 12 months. Heart Attacks–Anyone who has had a heart attack will be referred to an area hospital. Hepatitis–Donors who have had hepatitis after age 10 are permanently deferred. Donors who have been in close personal contact with someone with hepatitis are deferred for 12 months. Malaria–Contact the CPBB for up-to-date information. Medication–Contact the CPBB for up-to-date information. Pregnancy–There is a 6-week waiting period after a normal vaginal delivery or a C-section. There are no restrictions on nursing mothers. Surgery–Contact the CPBB for deferral time for a specific surgery. Tattooing/Body Piercing–There is a 12-month deferall after tattooing or body piercing. ---
**Author:** ![Philster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/13edae/32.png) [@Philster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philster)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2001, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtc-who-cant-give-blood/80896/6 "2001-09-11T19:11:07Z")
I am permanently banned from giving blood. To donate blood, you must identify yourself, and the Red Cross checks your name in their d-base. Even in emergencies, they have hand held units that give them access to banned lists. I am banned because I took steroids for sports in school. Some were administered with needles. The use of controlled substances gets you banned for life. ---
**Author:** ![amarinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3be4f8/32.png) [@amarinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarinth)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2001, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtc-who-cant-give-blood/80896/7 "2001-09-11T19:27:15Z")
[This](http://www.psbc.org/community/programs/_frm/frm_blood.htm) is the list for puget sound blood centers. I would guess that red cross is similar. ---
**Author:** ![struuter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b9e5f3/32.png) [@struuter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/struuter)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2001, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtc-who-cant-give-blood/80896/8 "2001-09-11T19:41:13Z")
What about medicated epileptics? Had always assume I couldn’t give. Really would like to know for sure if somebody can tell me. Thanks, guys. ---
**Author:** ![stuyguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@stuyguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stuyguy)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2001, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtc-who-cant-give-blood/80896/9 "2001-09-11T19:56:15Z")
One of the local stations here in NYC said that donor centers are accepting blood only from persons with blood donor cards. I assume that being a card-holders means you have already been cleared to donate for medical reasons. ---
**Author:** ![Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/50afbb/32.png) [@Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duck_Duck_Goose)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2001, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtc-who-cant-give-blood/80896/10 "2001-09-11T20:04:12Z")
The American Red Cross eligibility guidelines, from a Google cache. [http://www.google.com/search?q=cache:aTcFnFRQL-E:www.redcross.org/services/biomed/blood/learn/eligibl.html+red+cross+deferred+donation&hl=en](http://www.google.com/search?q=cache:aTcFnFRQL-E:www.redcross.org/services/biomed/blood/learn/eligibl.html+red+cross+deferred+donation&hl=en) > [@](#): > > Blood Donation Eligibility Guidelines > > General > To give blood, you must be healthy, at least 17 years old, and weigh at least 110 pounds. > > Specific > > AIDS: Do not give blood to get an AIDS test. Please see your own doctor or local health department to get tested. We are required to report all positive HIV results to public health officials. If you have any reason to believe you have AIDS, do not donate blood. You risk harming a vulnerable patient who needs blood transfusions. With new, advanced tests, the risk of transmitting HIV through a blood transfusion is 1 in 1.5 million. However, before blood is drawn, we must ensure that a donor does not display the high risk behaviors associated with certain infectious diseases. > > Do not give blood if you are at risk for getting and spreading the AIDS virus. According to the Food and Drug Administration, you are at risk if: > > [ul] > [li]you are a male who has had sex with another male since 1977, even once[/li][li]you have ever used a needle, even once, to take any illegal drugs or steroids[/li][li]you have taken clotting factor concentrates for a bleeding disorder such as hemophilia[/li][li]you have ever had a positive test for AIDS (HIV) or AIDS antibody or antigen[/li][li]you have AIDS or one of its symptoms,which include:[/li] > [li] unexplained weight loss (10 pounds or more in less than 2 months)[/li][li]night sweats[/li][li]blue or purple spots on or under the skin[/li][li]long-lasting white spots or unusual sores in your mouth[/li][li]lumps in your neck, armpits, or groin that last more than a month[/li][li]fever higher than 99 degrees that lasts more than 10 days[/li][li]diarrhea lasting over a month[/li][li]persistent cough and shortness of breath[/li][li]you have had sex with any person described above in the last 12 months[/li][li]you have been given money or drugs for sex since 1977[/li][li]you were born in or lived in (for more than one year) Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Niger, or Nigeria since 1977[/li][li]you received blood transfusions or medical treatment with a blood product in any of these countries since 1977[/li][li]you had sex with anyone who was born in or lived in any of these countries since 1977[/li][/ul] > > AIDS Exposure: defer 12 months if health care worker exposed to blood of patients with HIV infection by a needle stick or open wound > > Allergy: defer temporarily if breathing difficulty is present > > Asthma: accept if controlled > > Blood Pressure: accept with or without medications if blood pressure is within American Red Cross limits on day of donation > > Blood Transfusion: defer for 12 months > > Cancer: accept if 5 years from date of diagnosis, surgery or last radiation treatment; if no recurrence; if no chemotherapy > > some types of skin cancer: defer: leukemia or lymphoma > > recurrence of same cancer (except squamous or basal cell) > > Cold, Flu or Sore Throat: defer temporarily for active cold or flu symptoms such as fever, sore throat, productive cough, or general fatigue on day of donation > > Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD): defer indefinitely if at increased risk, a history of, diagnosed, or if any relatives have been diagnosed see Travel Outside of U. S. section (bottom of page) > > Dental: accept teeth cleaning, scaling, root canal, fillings and tooth extraction if no infection present > > defer 3 days for oral surgery, abscesses or infection > > Diabetes: accept two weeks after initial dosage of insulin or change of dosage > > defer indefinitely if, since 1980, received an injection of bovine (beef) insulin made from cattle from the United Kingdom > > \*\*Donation Intervals (for whole blood) \*\* > > accept every 8 weeks (or every 56 days) > accept 3 days after routine plateletpheresis > accept 28 days after routine plasmapheresis > > Epilepsy: accept if seizure-free for 3 months with or without medications > > Heart Disease/Surgery: evaluated individually, must have no restrictions on physical activity, be symptom-free and on no medication for heart disease except for aspirin > > 6-month wait after heart attack if above criteria met > > accept musculoskeletal (non-cardiac) chest pain > > 6-month deferral for non-diagnosed heart related chest pain > > accept pacemaker if pulse and above criteria met > > Hemoglobin: each donor’s hemoglobin is tested at the blood collection site > > if deferred, deferral is only temporary and donor may try again next day > > Hepatitis/Unexplained Jaundice: defer indefinitely > > hepatitis/yellow jaundice or liver disease of unknown origin on or after age 11: defer indefinitely if ever used a needle, even once to take any illegal drugs or steroids > > accept jaundice or hepatitis associated with birth, medications, bile duct obstruction, or hepatitis before age 11 > > defer confirmed positive HBsAg, repeat reactive anti-HCV or anti-HBc at any age > > Hepatitis Exposure: defer 12 months for close contact with hepatitis patient (close contact is defined as sexual contact or sharing same household, kitchen, and/or toilet facilities) or as membership group, e. g. dormitory, in which multiple cases of hepatitis have occurred > > defer 12 months someone who is a current inmate of a correctional institution (including jails, prisons or detention centers) or someone who has been incarcerated for more than 72 consecutive hours during previous 12 months or someone who has been in a chronic long-term psychiatric/mental institution for more than 28 days > > defer 12 months following blood transfusion, blood injections, tattoo, non-sterile needle stick/body piercing or blood contact with open wound, non-intact skin or mucous membrane > > defer 12 months following human bite that resulted in a wound which broke the skin accept casual contact (no contact with blood or body fluids) > > defer 12 months for intranasal use of cocaine or any street drug > > accept health care workers working with hepatitis/HIV positive patients providing: there is no contact with blood through nonsterile percutaneous innoculation (needle stick), an open wound, non-intact skin or mucous membrane > > accept sterile body piercing > > Immunization/Vaccination: defer 4 weeks for German Measles (Rubella), MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) and Chicken Pox vaccine (Varivax) > > defer 3 weeks for exposure to the following (unless immunized or had the disease): > > Red Measles > German Measles > Chicken Pox > Mumps > > defer 3 weeks for exposure to meningitis > > defer 2 weeks for Red Measles (Rubeola), Mumps, Oral Polio, Small Pox and Yellow Fever vaccine > > defer 7 days for hepatitis B vaccine when given for protection and not exposure (for exposure see Hepatitis Exposure section) > > accept hepatitis A vaccine > > accept most other immunizations/ vaccinations, e.g. flu, tetanus, providing donor is symptom-free and fever-free > > Infectious Mononucleosis: accept if recovered > > Malaria: defer 3 years after last symptom > > see Travel Outside of U.S. section > > Medications: defer indefinitely for Pituitary-Derived Human Growth Hormone and Tegison > > defer 3 years from last dose of Soriatane > > defer 8 weeks for injections of radioactive material > > defer 4 weeks for Accutane, Proscar, Propecia & Gold therapy > > defer 2 weeks for any change in insulin dose > > defer for 2 days from last dose of oral or intramuscular antibiotics or antifungal unless taking for chronic condition > > defer for 2 days from last dose of antivirals > > Organ/Tissue Transplants: defer 12 months for allogeneic organ or tissue transplants, including dental powder > > defer if received dura mater transplant > > accept autologous transplants if only autologous received > > Pregnancy: defer while pregnant > > defer 6 weeks after uncomplicated third trimester or term delivery or caesarean section > > defer 12 months if delivery required a blood transfusion > > accept nursing mothers > > Serious Illness: donors will be individually evaluated > > defer indefinitely Kaposi’s sarcoma, Multiple Sclerosis, Lupus, Chagas Disease, Babesiosis, Lyme Disease, and Leishmaniasis > > Sickle Cell: defer for sickle cell disease > > accept for sickle cell trait > > Skin Disease and Rash: donors will be individually evaluated > > phlebotomy: site must be free of rash/skin disease > > Surgery: accept history of recent surgery if: > > [ul] > [li]underlying illness does not disqualify donor[/li][li]stitches/staples dissolved or removed[/li][li]wound is healed[/li][li]donor has resumed normal activity and is feeling well[/li][/ul] > > accept minor cuts requiring stitches/staples after 48 hours if no signs of infection > > Syphilis/Gonorrhea: defer if have had or have been treated for in last 12 months > > defer if positive test for syphilis in past 12 months > > documentation of treatment may be required > > Travel Outside of U.S.: defer 12 months for travel into areas with a risk of malaria > > defer 3 years after having lived for 1 year or more in a malarial-risk area > > defer indefinitely if during 1980 - 1996 spent a total time that adds up to 6 months or more in the United Kingdom (England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Isle of Man, Channel Islands) see AIDS section ---
**Author:** ![GilaB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8e7dd6/32.png) [@GilaB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GilaB)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2001, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtc-who-cant-give-blood/80896/11 "2001-09-11T20:46:15Z")
Additionally, today (at least in Manhattan, where blood centers have been mobbed), anybody who has travelled outside of the US and Canada within the last three years or who has taken any prescriptions in the last three months is being turned away. The blood centers are so overloaded that anyone who isn’t type O or doesn’t meet the extra requirements is being turned away. ---
**Author:** ![Lsura](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7993a0/32.png) [@Lsura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lsura)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2001, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtc-who-cant-give-blood/80896/12 "2001-09-11T21:36:18Z")
Because my job takes me outside of the US, to developing countries (Dominican Republic, Honduras, Guatemala, etc), I was told that I could not the last time I tried to give. My last overseas trip was Honduras, in January 2001. Anyone know if I’d be blocked? I’m going over in the morning to check, but if I can get a straight answer, I could be saved from possibly wasting their time. ---
**Author:** ![Cap\_n\_Crude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Cap\_n\_Crude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cap_n_Crude)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2001, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtc-who-cant-give-blood/80896/13 "2001-09-11T21:38:43Z")
Damn lousy timing. I’m O+ and have very good blood (at least that’s what I was told the last time I donated). But because of some medications I’m taking right now to fight an infection, I can’t give. ---
**Author:** ![snac](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/90db22/32.png) [@snac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snac)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2001, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtc-who-cant-give-blood/80896/14 "2001-09-11T23:25:22Z")
You are also allowed to give only every 52 days or so. I donated about two weeks back, a direct donation for my little nephew with liver cancer (we are both type B positive); asked today if I could donate again (I’m a fairly big guy, good health, good hemoglobin), especially since I live not all that far from NYC, was told politely but firmly NO. ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2001, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtc-who-cant-give-blood/80896/15 "2001-09-12T03:28:38Z")
I’ve been refused twice: I don’t meet the weight requirement, and once when I had bulked up to a whopping 118 lbs I was refused because I had been taking anti malarial drugs within the previous 12 months. It’s embarassing to be refused - they make you go and sit on the bench with the hemopheliacs! ---
**Author:** ![vivalostwages](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d07c76/32.png) [@vivalostwages](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vivalostwages)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2001, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtc-who-cant-give-blood/80896/16 "2001-09-12T04:02:50Z")
I can’t. Wish to God I could. I had mononucleosis-hepatitis at age 18 and had to take oral steroids to get my beat-up liver back into some kind of shape. ---
**Author:** ![zenith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e19b73/32.png) [@zenith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zenith)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2001, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtc-who-cant-give-blood/80896/17 "2001-09-12T04:03:36Z")
The Red Cross has changed the deferal to 3 months in the UK and 6 months in the rest of Europe. This keeps me from donating. ---
**Author:** ![straykat23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c4cdca/32.png) [@straykat23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/straykat23)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2001, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtc-who-cant-give-blood/80896/18 "2001-09-12T04:08:33Z")
I can’t give blood because I lived for a year in the UK three years ago; however, I can volunteer at the Blood Bank by directing people to their blood-type areas, helping them fill out forms, handing out cookies and juice, that sort of thing. There’s probably something all of us can do. ---
**Author:** ![Kyla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/eada6e/32.png) [@Kyla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyla)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2001, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtc-who-cant-give-blood/80896/19 "2001-09-12T04:20:33Z")
Wow, I’m surprised by the diabetics ruling…my mom is Type I diabetic and has been for many years, and she’s a regular blood donor. I don’t think she goes to the Red Cross, though, so different banks might have different restrictions. If you want to give blood and they won’t let you because of what you think are unimportant particulars, call around and see if someone else will take your blood. ---
**Author:** ![CC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f1d935/32.png) [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2001, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtc-who-cant-give-blood/80896/20 "2001-09-12T13:36:30Z")
Pretty exhaustive lists above, but this addendum: I was found to have antibodies to the Hep B virus in my blood the last time I donated - or tried to. They wouldn’t let me. My doc said that I may have NEVER had Hepatitis, or that it may have been a minor infection when I was even a teenager -(I’m 57), and I’m not infected. I don’t have the virus. I don’t even have the angtigen. But, alas, I’m permanently fired from blood donation, something I always took pride in. So, to the OP - that’s another one that has to be on the list. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtc-who-cant-give-blood/80896.md?page=2)