How to Donate Plasma
Donating plasma may help extend a person’s life. Today, there are certain institutions that give you certain amount of money for every plasma donation you make. Whether you’re donating plasma out of a kind heart or for money, remember that you need to meet certain health guidelines. Here are some things you should know when donating plasma.
Steps:
Find an institution near you where you can donate plasma. If you have no idea, you can try looking in yellow pages, newspapers or search online.
plasma donation
Bring valid ID with photo. You may be required to present an ID that has the following information:
complete name
date of birth
signature
social security number
Medical Screening and interview will be done to determine whether you can donate plasma or not. Certain medical conditions may not allow you to donate plasma. It’s very important to answer medical questions honestly. It may not be advisable for you to donate plasma, and doing so may bring serious consequences. Try to be accurate when stating your medical history and familial diseases and conditions you may have.
Physical Examination. This is a standard method before undergoing any medical procedure.
Wait for the results. Results of your medical screening and physical exam usually come out within the day. After the results come out and you’ve been determined as physically fit for donating plasma, you can donate within the same day or have it scheduled on a different date.
Procedure. The procedure for donating plasma is called plasmapheresis. A device is used to separate your plasma from your red blood cells. The plasma is collected while your red blood cells are returned back to your blood circulation.
General Qualifications
Age. You should be between 18 and 65 years old to be a qualified plasma donor.
Weight. An ideal weight of a plasma donor is 110 pounds.
Blood test. A blood test will be done to determine your hematocrit and protein levels. Knowing your hemtocrit level will help determine if you have anemia, which may be a factor for not being a qualified donor.
Medical Guidelines
Here are some of the conditions that may not allow you to donate plasma.
Antibiotic therapy. Depending on the reasons for taking antibiotics, you may still qualify as a plasma donor.
Other medications. If you’re taking medications, the doctor may need to evaluate the type and severity of your condition.
Allergies. You may not be able to donate plasma if you have allergic symptoms on the scheduled donation day. You may want to wait until your symptoms have subsided before donating plasma. (Tips on how to get rid of allergies)
Anemia. Before you can donate plasma, you must treat your anemia first. Your doctor may give you certain medicines. Donate your plasma when you don’t have symptoms of anemia anymore.
Bleeding disorders will not make you a qualified plasma donor.
Flu and Sore throat. Wait until the symptoms have subsided before donating.
HIV and AIDS. Patients with HIV and AIDS can’t donate plasma.
Tuberculosis. Patients with active tuberculosis won’t be able to donate their plasma. Those individuals with positive mantoux test but don’t have an active tuberculosis may still be able to donate plasma.
Pregnancy. It’s not allowed for pregnant women to donate plasma during the course of their pregnancy. They have to wait for 6 weeks after giving birth before they can donate. Also, breastfeeding moms shouldn’t donate plasma.
Before donating plasma, you have to make sure that you’re an eligible donor. Be honest in your medical interview. Don’t forget to mention pertinent information about your past medical condition.