Blood collection centers constantly need more donations to support patients who need transfusions.But they won’t accept blood from just anyone.The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sets blood donation eligibility requirements to ensure that donors can safely give the minimum amount of blood and to reduce the risk of collecting and distributing unsafe blood.For decades, men who have sex with men were not allowed to donate blood due to concerns about spreading HIV through transfusions. Just last year, thatrule changed. Now, people of all sexual orientations and identities answer the same eligibility questions to determine if their recent sexual history increases the risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections in their blood.Take this quiz to determine if you’re eligible to donate blood and save yourself the hassle of being turned away at the donation center.What to Expect During a Blood DonationEven if you’re deemed eligible to donate blood based on this quiz, a blood collection center still may not accept your donation.When you arrive at the center, an employee will ask you about the requirements covered in this quiz, as well as some additional questions about what medications you take and your health overall. They’ll also check your temperature, pulse, blood pressure, andhemoglobin levelto make sure you’re fit to donate at least a pint of blood that day.Some donation centers, like the American Red Cross, will upload your vitals in an online portal and you can share the results with your health provider. You can also ask the staff to tell you your blood type.A Third of Americans Don’t Know Their Blood Type. Here’s How to Learn Yours
Blood collection centers constantly need more donations to support patients who need transfusions.But they won’t accept blood from just anyone.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sets blood donation eligibility requirements to ensure that donors can safely give the minimum amount of blood and to reduce the risk of collecting and distributing unsafe blood.
For decades, men who have sex with men were not allowed to donate blood due to concerns about spreading HIV through transfusions. Just last year, thatrule changed. Now, people of all sexual orientations and identities answer the same eligibility questions to determine if their recent sexual history increases the risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections in their blood.
Take this quiz to determine if you’re eligible to donate blood and save yourself the hassle of being turned away at the donation center.
What to Expect During a Blood Donation
Even if you’re deemed eligible to donate blood based on this quiz, a blood collection center still may not accept your donation.
When you arrive at the center, an employee will ask you about the requirements covered in this quiz, as well as some additional questions about what medications you take and your health overall. They’ll also check your temperature, pulse, blood pressure, andhemoglobin levelto make sure you’re fit to donate at least a pint of blood that day.
Some donation centers, like the American Red Cross, will upload your vitals in an online portal and you can share the results with your health provider. You can also ask the staff to tell you your blood type.
A Third of Americans Don’t Know Their Blood Type. Here’s How to Learn Yours
4 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.America’s Blood Centers.Current national blood supply.Food and Drug Administration.Keeping blood transfusions safe: FDA’s multi-layered protections for donated blood.American Red Cross.Free health screening and blood tests.American Red Cross.What is your blood type?
4 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.America’s Blood Centers.Current national blood supply.Food and Drug Administration.Keeping blood transfusions safe: FDA’s multi-layered protections for donated blood.American Red Cross.Free health screening and blood tests.American Red Cross.What is your blood type?
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
America’s Blood Centers.Current national blood supply.Food and Drug Administration.Keeping blood transfusions safe: FDA’s multi-layered protections for donated blood.American Red Cross.Free health screening and blood tests.American Red Cross.What is your blood type?
America’s Blood Centers.Current national blood supply.
Food and Drug Administration.Keeping blood transfusions safe: FDA’s multi-layered protections for donated blood.
American Red Cross.Free health screening and blood tests.
American Red Cross.What is your blood type?
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