Can u donate blood if u have a tattoo

Carolina didn’t let her tattoo stop her from making a selfless decision to become a blood donor.

Tattoos are more than skin deep.

Some have undeniable significance.

Some are spontaneous, but no less meaningful.

But one misconception about tattoos ─ that people with tattoos are ineligible to donate blood ─ has prevented some from getting inked or giving back. It's a common myth that having tattoos makes you ineligible to donate blood. This was true in the past, but it isn't a barrier today. Fact is, even if you're inked, you have the power to build a healthier world and save lives.

She Stands Out

Carolina Holler, a 28-year-old from San Paulo, Brazil, is no stranger to tattoos. She was 18 when she donated blood for the first time and 20 when she got her first tattoo. That tattoo would be the first of many.

Carolina's tattoos aren't a barrier that keep her from donating blood. She made the decision to give back, to show everyone you can have tattoos and be a regular blood donor.

Having a fascination with the human body at a young age, her passion for healthcare, blood donation awareness and body art would become a defining characteristic of her adulthood.

"I have 10 tattoos. And that hasn't stopped me from donating blood. You can plan your tattoos around blood donation," she said.

Tattoo, not taboo

Over the past few decades, tattoos have become less taboo. A Harris Poll found that nearly half of all millennials have tattoos. Among people who have tattoos, seven in 10 don't stop there, ending up with a tattwo and a tatthree.

Now, more than half the nation includes people who are Millennials, Gen Z and younger. That means there’s a likelihood a young donor who steps up to fight against current blood shortages will have a tattoo. Or maybe even a few.

Most people with tattoos can donate blood as long as they don’t have risk factors that prohibit or limit blood donation, and if they got a tattoo at a state regulated facility. In the U.S. you have to wait 3 months to donate if the tattoo was from a state that does not regulate tattoo facilities.

Make Your Mark

Every 2 seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood, and your donations have the power to change lives, regardless of your tattoos.

Don't let your ink stop you from donating blood.

You don't have to compromise your individuality, style, sense of adventure or your love of body art to become a regular donor. Tattoos are a permanent statement of who you are, what (or who) you love and what’s important to you.

So is becoming a donor.

You can leave your mark on the world by donating ─ a permanent sign of your selflessness and the difference you've made in changing lives.

Carolina inspires those around her to donate, especially loved ones her age. She's a reminder that it’s on us (ahem, millennials and Gen Z) to step up and give back.

"Even if you're not able to donate, you can go with a friend who's donating and be a support system for them. Make it social," she said.

Generosity is more than skin deep. Just like your tattoos.

Learn more about blood donation FAQs and find a blood donation center near you.

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Donors who have undergone acupuncture treatments are acceptable.

You must be at least 17 years old to donate to the general blood supply, or 16 years old with parental/guardian consent, if allowed by state law. There is no upper age limit for blood donation as long as you are well with no restrictions or limitations to your activities.

In-Depth Discussion of Age and Blood Donation

Those younger than age 17 are almost always legal minors (not yet of the age of majority) who cannot give consent by themselves to donate blood. (Each state determines its own age of majority, which can be different for different activities.)

Persons under the age of 17 may, however, donate blood for their own use, in advance of scheduled surgery or in situations where their blood has special medical value for a particular patient such as a family member.

Allergy, Stuffy Nose, Itchy Eyes, Dry Cough

Acceptable as long as you feel well, have no fever, and have no problems breathing through your mouth.

A donor with an acute infection can not donate. The reason for antibiotic use must be evaluated to determine if the donor has a bacterial infection that could be transmissible by blood.

Acceptable after finishing oral antibiotics for an infection (bacterial or viral). Can have taken last pill on the date of donation. Antibiotic by injection for an infection acceptable 10 days after last injection. Acceptable if you are taking antibiotics to prevent an infection for the following reasons: acne, chronic prostatitis, peptic ulcer disease, periodontal disease, pre-dental work, rosacea, ulcerative colitis, after a splenectomy or valvular heart disease. If you have a temperature above 99.5 F, you can not donate.

Aspirin, no waiting period for donating whole blood. However, you must wait 2 full days after taking aspirin or any medication containing aspirin before donating platelets by apheresis. For example, if you take aspirin products on Monday, the soonest you can donate platelets is Thursday.

Acceptable as long as you do not have any limitations on daily activities and are not having difficulty breathing at the time of donation and you otherwise feel well. Medications for asthma do not disqualify you from donating.

Women on oral contraceptives or using other forms of birth control are eligible to donate.

If you have a history of bleeding problems, you will be asked additional questions. If your blood does not clot normally, you can not donate since you may have excessive bleeding where the needle was placed. For the same reason, do not donate if you are taking any "blood thinner" such as:

Atrixa (fondaparinux)

Coumadin (warfarin)

Eliquis (apixaban)

Fragmin (dalteparin)

Heparin

Jantoven (warfarin)

Lovenox (enoxaparin)

Pradaxa (dabigatran)

Savaysa (edoxaban)

Warfilone (warfarin)

Xarelto (rivaroxaban).

If you are on aspirin, it is OK to donate whole blood. However, you must be off of aspirin for at least 2 full days in order to donate platelets by apheresis. For example, if you take aspirin products on Monday, the soonest you can donate platelets is Thursday. Donors with clotting disorder from Factor V who are not on anticoagulants are eligible to donate; however, all others must be evaluated by the health historian at the collection center.

Acceptable as long as your blood pressure is below 180 systolic (first number) and below 100 diastolic (second number) at the time of donation. Medications for high blood pressure do not disqualify you from donating.

Learn more about Blood Pressure

Acceptable as long as you feel well when you come to donate, and your blood pressure is at least 90/50 (systolic/diastolic).

Learn more about Blood Pressure

Wait for 3 months after receiving a blood transfusion from another person.

Eligibility depends on the type of cancer and treatment history. If you had leukemia or lymphoma, including Hodgkin’s Disease and other cancers of the blood, you are not eligible to donate. Other types of cancer are acceptable if the cancer has been treated successfully and it has been more than 12 months since treatment was completed and there has been no cancer recurrence in this time. Lower risk in-situ cancers including squamous or basal cell cancers of the skin that have been completely removed and healed do not require a 12-month waiting period.

Precancerous conditions of the uterine cervix do not disqualify you from donation if the abnormality has been treated successfully. Discuss your particular situation with the health historian at the time of donation.

Unable to Give Blood?
Consider volunteering or hosting a blood drive through the Red Cross. You can also help people facing emergencies by making a financial donation to support the Red Cross’s greatest needs. Your gift enables the Red Cross to ensure an ongoing blood supply, provide humanitarian support to families in need and prepare communities by teaching lifesaving skills.

Most chronic illnesses are acceptable as long as you feel well, the condition is under control, and you meet all other eligibility requirements.

Wait if you have a fever or a productive cough (bringing up phlegm). Wait if you do not feel well on the day of donation. Wait until you have completed antibiotic treatment for sinus, throat or lung infection.

Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD)

If you ever received a dura mater (brain covering) transplant you are not eligible to donate.
If you received an injection of cadaveric pituitary human growth hormone (hGH) you cannot donate. Human cadaveric pituitary-derived hGH was available in the U.S. from 1958 to 1985. Growth hormone received after 1985 is acceptable.
If you have been diagnosed with vCJD, CJD or any other TSE or have a blood relative diagnosed with genetic CJD (e.g., fCJD, GSS, or FFI) you cannot donate.

Learn more about CJD.

Dental Procedures and Oral Surgery

Acceptable after dental procedures as long as there is no infection present. Wait until finishing antibiotics for a dental infection. Wait for 3 days after having oral surgery.

Diabetics who are well controlled on insulin or oral medications are eligible to donate.

Wait at least 8 weeks between whole blood (standard) donations.

Wait at least 7 days between platelet (pheresis) donations.

Wait at least 16 weeks between Power Red (automated) donations.

Donor Deferral for Men Who Have Had Sex With Men (MSM)

First-time male donors may be eligible to donate blood if they have not had sex with another man in more than 3 months. All additional blood donation eligibility criteria will apply.

Donors who were previously deferred under the prior MSM policy will be evaluated for reinstatement.

Individuals who have been deferred for MSM in the past can initiate donor reinstatement by contacting the Red Cross Donor and Client Support Center at 1-866-236-3276. Individuals with questions about their donation eligibility can contact the Red Cross Donor and Client Support Center at 1-866-236-3276.

For the purposes of blood donation gender is self-identified and self-reported, which is relevant to the transgender community.

More information about the FDA policy is available for LGBTQ+ donors.

You are not eligible to donate if you have ever had Ebola virus infection or disease.

Unable to Give Blood?

Consider volunteering, or hosting a blood drive through the Red Cross. You can also help people facing emergencies by making a financial donation to support the Red Cross’s greatest needs. Your gift enables the Red Cross to ensure an ongoing blood supply, provide humanitarian support to families in need and prepare communities by teaching lifesaving skills.

In general, acceptable as long as you have been medically evaluated and treated, have no current (within the last 6 months) heart related symptoms such as chest pain and have no limitations or restrictions on your normal daily activities.

Wait at least 6 months following an episode of angina.

Wait at least 6 months following a heart attack.

Wait at least 6 months after bypass surgery or angioplasty.

Wait at least 6 months after a change in your heart condition that resulted in a change to your medications.

If you have a pacemaker, you can donate as long as your pulse is between 50 and 100 beats per minute and you meet the other heart disease criteria. Discuss your particular situation with your personal healthcare provider and the health historian at the time of donation.

Heart Murmur, Heart Valve Disorder

Acceptable if you have a heart murmur as long as you have been medically evaluated and treated and have not had symptoms in the last 6 months and have no restrictions on your normal daily activities.

Hemochromatosis (Hereditary)

Acceptable if you meet all eligibility criteria and donation intervals.

Hemoglobin, Hematocrit, Blood Count

In order to donate blood, a woman must have a hemoglobin level of at least 12.5 g/dL, and a man must have a hemoglobin level of at least 13.0 g/dL. For all donors, the hemoglobin level can be no greater than 20 g/dL. Separate requirements for hemoglobin level apply for Power Red.

When you come to donate blood at the American Red Cross, we measure your blood pressure, pulse, temperature, and hemoglobin because the results provide information about your current health at the time of your donation. The Red Cross does not diagnose medical conditions or offer treatment.

Physical exam results vary throughout the day. Stress, nutrition, illness, hydration, weight, activity, environment and even consumption of certain ingredients (for example, salt or caffeine) can affect the results of the physical exam. If your result does not meet the minimum/maximum requirement at the time of your attempted donation you will not be permitted to donate.

If you have signs or symptoms of hepatitis (inflammation of the liver) caused by a virus, or unexplained jaundice (yellow discoloration of the skin), you are not eligible to donate blood.

If you ever tested positive for hepatitis B or hepatitis C, at any age, you are not eligible to donate, even if you were never sick or jaundiced from the infection.

If you live with or have had sexual contact with a person who has hepatitis, you must wait 12 months after the last contact.

Persons who have been detained or incarcerated in a facility (juvenile detention, lockup, jail, or prison) for 72 hours or more consecutively (3 days) are deferred for 12 months from the date of last occurrence. This includes work release programs and weekend incarceration. These persons are at higher risk for exposure to infectious diseases.

Wait 3 months after receiving a blood transfusion (unless it was your own "autologous" blood), non-sterile needle stick or exposure to someone else's blood.

Unable to Give Blood?

Consider volunteering or hosting a blood drive through the Red Cross. You can also help people facing emergencies by making a financial donation to support the Red Cross’s greatest needs. Your gift enables the Red Cross to ensure an ongoing blood supply, provide humanitarian support to families in need and prepare communities by teaching lifesaving skills.

Do not give blood if you have AIDS or have ever had a positive HIV test, or if you have done something that puts you at risk for becoming infected with HIV.

You are at risk for getting infected if you:

have used needles to take any drugs, steroids, or anything not prescribed by your doctor in the last 3 months
are a male who has had sexual contact with another male, in the last 3 months
have taken money, drugs or other payment for sex in the last 3 months
have had sexual contact in the past 3 months with anyone described above

Do not give blood if you have any of the following conditions that can be signs or symptoms of HIV/AIDS

Fever
Enlarged lymph glands
Sore throat
Rash

Do not give blood if at any time you received HIV treatment also known as antiretroviral therapy (ART).

Wait 3 months after the last dose of any oral medications taken to prevent HIV infection [also known as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP)]- Truvada (Tenofovir), Descovy (emtricitabine), Tivicay (dolutegravir) and Isentress (raltegravir) are oral medications given for exposure to HIV.

If you received an injection or shot of a medication to prevent an HIV infection, then contact the Red Cross Donor and Client Support Center at 1-866-236-3276 to discuss your particular situation to determine if you can donate.

Unable to Give Blood?

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)

Women on hormone replacement therapy for menopausal symptoms and prevention of osteoporosis are eligible to donate.

Hypertension, High Blood Pressure

See "Blood Pressure, High" section above.

Immunization, Vaccination

Acceptable if you were vaccinated for influenza, pneumonia, tetanus or meningitis, providing you are symptom-free and fever-free. Includes the Tdap vaccine. Acceptable if you received an HPV Vaccine (example, Gardasil).

Acceptable if you were vaccinated with SHINGRIX (shingles vaccine) providing you are symptom-free and fever-free. SHINGRIX vaccine is administered in 2 doses (shots). The second shot is administered 2-6 months after the first shot. This distinguishes it from Zostavax, the live shingles vaccine, which is given as a single dose (shot) and requires a 4-week deferral.

Wait 4 weeks after immunizations for German Measles (Rubella), MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella), Chicken Pox and Zostavax, the live shingles vaccine.

Wait 2 weeks after immunizations for Red Measles (Rubeola), Mumps, Polio (by mouth), and Yellow Fever vaccine.

Wait 21 days after immunization for hepatitis B as long as you are not given the immunization for exposure to hepatitis B.

COVID-19 Vaccine and COVID-19 Booster Shot
- Acceptable if you were vaccinated with a non-replicating, inactivated, or RNA-based COVID-19 vaccine manufactured by AstraZeneca, Janssen/J&J, Moderna, Novavax, or Pfizer providing you are symptom-free and fever-free.
- Wait 2 weeks if you were vaccinated with a live attenuated COVID-19 vaccine.
- Wait 2 weeks if you were vaccinated with a COVID-19 vaccine but do not know if it was a non-replicating, inactivated, RNA based vaccine or a live attenuated vaccine.

Smallpox/ Monkeypox vaccine There are two types of Smallpox/Monkeypox vaccines so you must know the name of the vaccine to determine if you may be eligible to donate. If you do not know the name of the vaccine you received, you must wait 8 weeks to donate as a precaution.
- ACAM2000 vaccine: This is an older vaccine which is administered in a single dose by inoculation (pricking the skin surface several times with a needle). If you receive the ACAM2000 smallpox/monkeypox vaccine, which is a live virus vaccine containing infectious agents then the following apply:
  - Smallpox/Monkeypox vaccination and did not develop complications Wait 8 weeks (56 days) after receiving the vaccination to donate blood as long as you have no complications. Complications can include skin reactions beyond the vaccination site or general illness related to the vaccination.
  - Smallpox/Monkeypox vaccination and developed complications Wait 14 days after all vaccine complications have resolved or 8 weeks (56 days) from the date of having had the smallpox vaccination whichever is the longer period of time. Discuss your particular situation with the health historian at the time of donation. Complications can include skin reactions beyond the vaccination site or general illness related to the vaccination.
- Jynneos vaccine: This is a new vaccine that is administered in 2 doses (shots) given 4 weeks apart. If you receive the newer smallpox/monkeypox vaccine called Jynneos, which is a nonreplicating live virus vaccine, which does not contain infectious agents, your eligibility to donate blood is determined based on exposure to Monkeypox.
  - If you received this vaccine after an exposure to Monkeypox, you cannot donate for 21 days after your last exposure.
  - If there is no exposure to monkeypox and you received this vaccine, there is no deferral.
Smallpox vaccination – close contact with someone who has had the smallpox vaccine in the last eight weeks and you did not develop any skin lesions or other symptoms. Eligible to donate.
Smallpox vaccination – close contact with someone who has had the vaccine in the last eight weeks and you have since developed skin lesions or symptoms. Wait 8 weeks (56 days) from the date of the first skin lesion or sore. Discuss your particular situation with the health historian at the time of donation. Complications can include skin reactions or general illness related to the exposure.

If you have a fever or an active infection, wait until the infection has resolved completely before donating blood.

Wait until finished taking oral antibiotics for an infection (bacterial or viral). Wait 10 days after the last antibiotic injection for an infection.

Those who have had infections with Chagas Disease or Leishmaniasis are not eligible to donate.

Those who have had infection with Babesiosis can donate if it has been 2 years or more since the diagnosis or positive test if donating in the states of Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Wisconsin or Washington, D.C. IF you plan to donate in any other state, call 1-800-RED CROSS for more information.

See: Antibiotics, Hepatitis, HIV, Syphilis/Gonorrhea, and Tuberculosis.

Donors with diabetes who take any kind if insulin are eligible to donate as long as their diabetes is well controlled.

Wait 3 months after using IV drugs that were not prescribed by a physician. This requirement is related to concerns about hepatitis and HIV.

See: Hepatitis.

Malaria is transmitted by the bite of mosquitoes found in certain countries and can be transmitted to patients through blood transfusion. Blood donations are not tested for malaria because there is no sensitive blood test available for malaria.

If you have traveled or lived in a malaria-risk country, a waiting period is required before you can donate blood.

Wait 3 years after completing treatment for malaria.
Wait 3 months after returning from a trip to an area where malaria is found.
Wait 3 years after living more than 5 years in a country or countries where malaria is found. An additional waiting period of 3 years is required if you have traveled to an area where malaria is found if you have not lived a consecutive 3 years in a country or countries where malaria is not found.

If you have traveled outside of the United States and Canada, your travel destinations will be reviewed at the time of donation.

Please, come prepared to discuss your travel details when you donate. You can download the travel form and bring it with you to help in the assessment of your travel. You can call 866-236-3276 to speak with an eligibility specialist about your travel.

If, in the past 3 years, you have been outside the United States or Canada:

What countries did you visit?
Where did you travel while in this country?
Did you leave the city or resort at any time? If yes, where did you go?
What mode of transportation did you use?
How long did you stay?
What date did you return to the U.S.?

Acceptable if you are healthy and well and have been vaccinated for measles more than 4 weeks ago or were born before 1956. If you have not been vaccinated or it has been less than 4 weeks since being vaccinated, wait 4 weeks from the date of the vaccination or exposure before donating.

In almost all cases, medications will not disqualify you as a blood donor. Your eligibility will be based on the reason that the medication was prescribed. As long as the condition is under control and you are healthy, blood donation is usually permitted.

Over-the-counter oral homeopathic medications, herbal remedies, and nutritional supplements are acceptable.

There are a handful of drugs that are of special significance in blood donation. Persons on these drugs have waiting periods following their last dose before they can donate blood:

Accutane, Amnesteem, Absorica, Claravis, Myorisan, Sotret or Zenatane (isotretinoin), Proscar (finasteride), and Propecia (finasteride) - wait 1 month from the last dose.
Avodart or Jalyn (dutasteride) - wait 6 months from the last dose.
Aspirin, no waiting period for donating whole blood. However, you must wait 2 full days after taking aspirin or any medication containing aspirin before donating platelets by apheresis. For example, if you take aspirin products on Monday, the soonest you can donate platelets is Thursday.
Effient (prasugrel) and Brilinta (ticagrelor) – no waiting period for donating whole blood. However, you must wait 7 days after taking Brilinta (ticagrelor) before donating platelets by apheresis. You must wait 3 days after taking Effient (prasugrel) before donating platelets by apheresis.
Feldene (piroxicam), no waiting period for donating whole blood. However, you must wait 2 days after taking Feldene (piroxicam) before donating platelets by apheresis.
Coumadin, Warfilone, Jantoven (warfarin) and Heparin, are prescription blood thinners- Do not donate since your blood will not clot normally. If your doctor discontinues your treatment with blood thinners, wait 7 days before returning to donate.
Arixtra (fondaparinux), Fragmin (dalteparin), Eliquis (apixaban), Pradaxa (dabigatran),Savaysa (edoxaban), Xarelto (rivaroxaban),and Lovenox (enoxaparin) are also prescription blood thinners- Do not donate since your blood will not clot normally. If your doctor discontinues your treatment with these blood thinners, wait 2 days before returning to donate.
Other prescription blood thinners not listed, call 866-236-3276 to speak with an eligibility specialist about your individual situation.
Hepatitis B Immune Globulin – given for exposure to hepatitis, wait 12 months after exposure to hepatitis.
HIV Prevention (PrEP and PEP) medications - Truvada (Tenofovir), Descovy (emtricitabine), Tivicay (dolutegravir) and Isentress (raltegravir) and Isentress are given for exposure to HIV, you must wait 3 months after the last dose of medication to donate.
HIV treatment also known as antiretroviral therapy (ART) at any time - you are not eligible to donate blood.
Plavix (clopidogrel) and Ticlid (ticlopidine) – no waiting period for donating whole blood. However you must wait 14 days after taking this medication before donating platelets by apheresis.
Zontivity (vorapaxar) – no waiting period for donating whole blood. However, you must wait 1 month after taking this medication before donating platelets by apheresis.
Rinvoq (upadacitinib) – wait 1 month
Thalomid (thalidomide) – wait 1 month.
Cellcept (mycophenolate mofetil) – an immunosuppressant– wait 6 weeks
Soriatane (acitretin) – wait 3 years.
Tegison (etretinate) at any time – you are not eligible to donate blood.
Arava (leflunomide), Erivedge (vismodegib) and Odomzo (sonidegib)– wait 2 years.
Aubagio (teriflunomide) – wait 2 years.

Monkeypox (exposure or diagnosis)

Monkeypox infection or exposure, wait a minimum of 21 days, then contact the Red Cross Donor and Client Support Center at 1-866-236-3276 to discuss your particular situation to determine if you can donate.

Wait 3 months after receiving any type of organ transplant from another person. If you ever received a dura mater (brain covering) transplant, you are not eligible to donate. This requirement is related to concerns about the brain disease, Creutzfeld-Jacob Disease (CJD).

Learn more about CJD and blood donation.

If you ever received a transplant of animal organs or of living animal tissue - you are not eligible to donate blood. Non-living animal tissues such as bone, tendon, or heart valves are acceptable.

Piercing (ears, body), Electrolysis

Acceptable as long as the instruments used were single-use equipment and disposable (which means both the gun and the earring cassette were disposable). Wait 3 months if a piercing was performed using a reusable gun or any reusable instrument.

Wait 3 months if there is any question whether or not the instruments used were single-use equipment. This requirement is related to concerns about hepatitis.

Learn more about hepatitis and blood donation.

Persons who are pregnant are not eligible to donate. Wait 6 weeks after giving birth.

Acceptable as long as your pulse is no more than 100 and no less than 50. A pulse that is regular and less than 50 will require evaluation by the regional American Red Cross physician.

Sexually Transmitted Disease

Wait 3 months after treatment for syphilis or gonorrhea.

Acceptable if it has been more than 3 months since you completed treatment for syphilis or gonorrhea.

Chlamydia, venereal warts (human papilloma virus), or genital herpes are not a cause for deferral if you are feeling healthy and well and meet all other eligibility requirements.

Acceptable if you have sickle cell trait. Those with sickle cell disease are not eligible to donate. Learn how blood donations help those affected by Sickle Cell Disease.

Learn how blood donations help those affected by Sickle Cell Disease

Acceptable as long as the skin over the vein to be used to collect blood is not affected. If the skin disease has become infected, wait until the infection has cleared before donating. Taking antibiotics to control acne does not disqualify you from donating.

It is not necessarily surgery but the underlying condition that precipitated the surgery that requires evaluation before donation. Evaluation is on a case by case basis. Discuss your particular situation with the health historian at the time of donation.

Wait 3 months after being treated for syphilis or gonorrhea.

Wait 3 months after a tattoo if the tattoo was applied in a state that does not regulate tattoo facilities. Currently, the only states that DO NOT regulate tattoo facilities are: District of Columbia, Georgia, Idaho, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, Utah and Wyoming. This requirement is related to concerns about hepatitis.

Learn more about hepatitis and blood donation.

A tattoo is acceptable if the tattoo was applied by a state-regulated entity using sterile needles and ink that is not reused. Cosmetic tattoos (including microblading of eyebrows only) applied in a licensed establishment in a regulated state using sterile needles and ink that is not reused is acceptable. Discuss your particular situation with the health historian at the time of donation.

Travel Outside of U.S., Immigration

You can be exposed to malaria through travel and travel in some areas can sometimes defer donors. If you have traveled outside of the United States and Canada, your travel destinations will be reviewed at the time of donation.

Come prepared to your donation process with your travel details when you donate. You can download the travel form and bring it with you to help in the assessment of your travel. You can call 866-236-3276 to speak with an eligibility specialist about your travel.

If, in the past 3 years, you have been outside the United States or Canada:

What countries did you visit?
Where did you travel while in this country?
Did you leave the city or resort at any time? If yes, where did you go?
What mode of transportation did you use?
How long did you stay?
What date did you return to the U.S.?

If you have traveled or lived in a malaria-risk country, a waiting period is required before you can donate blood

Wait 3 years after completing treatment for malaria.
Wait 3 months after returning from a trip to an area where malaria is found.
Wait 3 years after living more than 5 years in a country or countries where malaria is found. An additional waiting period of 3 years is required if you have traveled to an area where malaria is found if you have not lived a consecutive 3 years in a country or countries where malaria is not found

If you have active tuberculosis or are being treated for active tuberculosis you can not donate. Acceptable if you have a positive skin test or blood test, but no active tuberculosis and are NOT taking antibiotics. If you are receiving antibiotics for a positive TB skin test or blood test only or if you are being treated for a tuberculosis infection, wait until treatment is successfully completed before donating.

Wait 3 months after treatment for syphilis or gonorrhea.

Chlamydia, venereal warts (human papilloma virus), or genital herpes are not a cause for deferral if you are feeling healthy and well and meet all other eligibility requirements.

You must weigh at least 110 lbs to be eligible for blood donation for your own safety. Students who donate at high school drives and donors 18 years of age or younger must also meet additional height and weight requirements for whole blood donation (applies to girls shorter than 5'5" and boys shorter than 5').

Blood volume is determined by body weight and height. Individuals with low blood volumes may not tolerate the removal of the required volume of blood given with whole blood donation. There is no upper weight limit as long as your weight is not higher than the weight limit of the donor bed/lounge you are using. Discuss any upper weight limitations of beds and lounges with your local health historian.

If you have been diagnosed with Zika virus infection, wait more than 120 days after your symptoms resolve to donate.