Blood Donation:
It is a simple medical procedure that contributes to saving lives, in which a person voluntarily donates blood, in which blood is taken from a healthy person, examined, and then preserved so that it can be used to treat another person in emergency cases that require blood transfusion or for people who need long-term treatment.
Blood Types:
Blood is made up of several components including red blood cells, platelets, and plasma. Each of these components can be used to treat many different conditions. A person’s blood type is inherited from the parents’ genes and there are 8 main types as follows:
- O positive: This is the most common blood type
- A positive: the second most common blood type.
- O negative: it is called the "universal donor" because it is safe for everyone to receive red blood cells of this type.
- A negative: it is the universal type of platelet transfusion.
- B positive.
- B Negative: it is considered one of the rarest blood types.
- AB positive.
- AB negative: the rarest of the blood types.
Whether the blood type is rare or common, there is still a need for donations from all types.
Blood type compatibility:
In the process of blood transfusion, the donor's blood type must be compatible with the patient's blood type. Blood can be received from a donor of the same blood type as the disease, or blood can also be received from a donor of a compatible blood type, as follows:
Reasons And Importance:
The importance of blood donation lies in preserving lives by transfusing blood to the following cases:
- In the event of pregnancy complications (eg: ectopic pregnancy and bleeding before, during or after childbirth).
- Children with severe anemia often caused by malaria or malnutrition.
- Emergencies and severe accidents such as car accidents, burns and disasters.
- For patients in many medical procedures and surgeries
- Patients with blood and bone marrow disorders, inherited hemoglobin disorders, and immunodeficiencies
- Cancer patients
- They are also needed for regular blood transfusions for people with conditions (such as thalassemia and sickle cell disease) and used to make substances (such as clotting factors for people with hemophilia).
Conditions for Blood Donors:
- The minimum age is from 17 years to 65 years.
- Minimum weight of 50 kg.
- The donor is in good health.
- The donor should not suffer from any infectious diseases.
- The blood hemoglobin level should be above 12 grams / deciliter for women and 13 grams / deciliter for men.
People who cannot donate blood:
- Those with infections and colds: If the donor has a cold, flu, sore throat, or any other infection.
- If the donor recently had a tattoo or piercing in the body, he cannot donate blood within 6 months from the date he underwent this procedure, but if the piercing was performed by a certified health professional and any inflammation completely disappeared, then the individual can donate blood after 12 hours.
- If the donor underwent a minor surgical procedure, he must wait 24 hours before donating blood, while he must wait one month if he underwent surgery.
- In the case of traveling to areas where mosquito-borne infections are endemic (such as: malaria, dengue fever, and Zika virus), donating blood should be avoided temporarily.
- Take drugs.
- Donars with infectious diseases (eg: AIDS, hepatitis B and C, syphilis, malaria).
A pregnant woman cannot donate blood. It is recommended not to donate blood during breastfeeding, and at least 9 months (eg: pregnancy period) should pass before blood donation after childbirth, and up to 3 months after the newborn has been significantly weaned.
Blood Donation Process:
About (450-500 ml) of donor blood is withdrawn without any risk to health, then the blood bag is transferred to a blood center where it is tested and treated before being sent to hospitals. It is also possible to donate every two to three months.
Instructions before and after donating blood:
Before donating blood:
- It is important to eat a light meal before donating blood and to eat regularly in general. To maintain a stable blood sugar level and avoid feeling dizzy after donating.
- Drink 500 ml of water immediately before donating blood to avoid dizziness or fainting after donating blood.
- Avoid doing any vigorous exercise or heavy lifting on the day of blood donation.
- It is recommended to get a full sleep between 7 and 9 hours the night before the donation.
After donating blood:
- You should rest in your chair for 2-5 minutes and then take a break for 10-15 minutes before leaving the blood donation place.
- Avoid intense physical activity on the day of blood donation.
- Drink fluids and a snack
- If you feel dizzy (heat, sweating, shaking, shakiness, or nausea), lie down immediately and rest until you feel better and drink plenty of fluids.
- The bruising at the injection site is usually harmless and disappears over time.
- If the bleeding recurs, sit up, raise your arm, and press on the area where the blood is coming out for at least 5 minutes.