Is it safe for my health to donate whole blood and its components? Is blood donation beneficial or harmful? Review of foreign medical research, video

There are many situations when a person’s life hangs in the balance. And in such difficult moments, a person waits for donor blood, which will save a person in dangerous situation. Donation began a very long time ago, so near this necessary procedure There are many myths and fears floating around.

Translated from Latin, “donare” means to give.

The person voluntarily decides to receive a transfusion. She has medicinal properties. None expensive medicine cannot compare to the miracles of donated blood. Thanks to her, many people are saved human lives.

Today donor blood or its components are used quite often. It all started in ancient times, when people drank the blood of animals. There were attempts and transfusions of animal blood, but after this method the person simply died. In the eighteenth century it became clear that only man can save man. Professional blood transfusions began in the First World War. It was then that many rumors about donation appeared, which in our time have been debunked.

What to remember when donating blood

They transfused whole blood, but nowadays they use component therapy - they transfuse what the patient needs. A special employee of a medical institution draws blood under sterile conditions. The procedure uses disposable systems.

Before donating blood, the donor must undergo a medical examination, including a blood test.

If certain blood components are needed, they are separated using special installations, which are also sterile. Blood supplies are replenished systematically, because they are constantly needed. And the point is not that blood is quickly used, but that it cannot be stored for a long time. Each individual component has its own shelf life. Plasma can be stored frozen for two years. Red blood cells retain their properties for only forty-two days, and white blood cells for only a day. Therefore, updating the blood bank is mandatory.

Adults can donate blood age of majority up to fifty years. But there are special requirements for donors. He should not suffer from such diseases: diseases that can be transmitted through blood, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, skin diseases. Blood should never be shared after surgery, vaccination, respiratory diseases, dentist appointments, drinking alcohol three hours before handing over the material, during pregnancy, menstruation and breastfeeding. There are also some restrictions that are discussed with the future or current donor.

Only four hundred and fifty grams of blood are taken from a person, and this does not affect the general condition body. If the donor had a hearty breakfast and slept well, then blood sampling will not affect him in any way.

Huge benefits of donating blood from a donor

• Firstly, this is a kind of training for the body in stressful situations. They can occur during injuries, operations, accidents, burns.
• Secondly, the body will initially turn on its compensatory capabilities and respond correctly to any critical situation related to blood replenishment.

When donating blood, the body rejuvenates, because new blood cells are produced within a month.

Donation good prevention heart diseases. Excess blood is removed from the body.

The procedure is stimulating. This is a kind of prevention of diseases of the bone marrow, immune diseases, liver and pancreas.

Moreover, the donor, saving someone’s life, experiences true pleasure from the work done.

For what purposes is donor blood used (benefits for the recipient).

• Significant blood loss as a result of injury, accident, surgery, etc.
• Bleeding that can't stop
• Severe burns
• Purulent-septic diseases
• Anemia
• Hematological diseases
• Severe toxicoses
• Difficult childbirth.

What harm can a donor cause when taking blood?

As mentioned above, donors do miracles. But how not to harm the donor himself and his health? Doctors claim that the entire procedure is safe and beneficial. But not all people can donate blood. There is a category of citizens for whom this procedure is contraindicated.

There is no doubt that the donor must be absolutely healthy. This is why a full medical examination and surrender is necessary important analyzes to rule out various diseases. You must not have contact with infectious patients for twenty-one days. You cannot go to donate blood for three weeks after a sore throat, flu, or acute respiratory viral infection. Complete contraindications are past hepatitis and AIDS, tuberculosis, sexually transmitted diseases, skin diseases and cancer patients. The donor must weigh more than fifty kilograms.

Security measures

All these preventive measures make transfusion safe for both the donor and the victim. The blood is frozen and there is a quarantine period before it can be used. There were isolated situations when a patient was transfused with contaminated blood. This is extremely rare and is criminally punishable.

After the procedure, the donor needs rest and more fluids, and a balanced diet should be added at least five times a day. On the day when blood needs to be donated, the donor is given an official day off.

Donation is very honorable and respected in the modern world. This procedure helps save many lives. This is a huge nobility aimed at good deeds.

Does everyone know what donation is and who a donor is? First of all, if we turn to the origin of this word, we should say that it is of Latin origin and comes from the ancientdono, which meant “I give.” If we consider the word and its meaning more broadly, then a “donor” is someone, including an individual, a group of individuals, and an organization, who gives something to someone else, that is, another object (person, organization , enterprise, state).

The one who receives something from the donor is called an acceptor or recipient. Most people are sure that the concept of “donation” refers to the medical field.

However, this is not quite true. For example, this term is quite common in chemistry, where an electron donor is usually called an atom chemical element, which exhibits lower electronegativity; in turn, an atom of a chemical element with higher electronegativity is called an electron acceptor.

The term “donor” is also used in physics solid, where a donor is an impurity in a standard crystal lattice for a particular substance that donates an electron to the crystal. Since about the second half of the last century, the word “donation” has also been used in economics - this has been the name given to the provision of preferential loans or even the provision of certain financial resources to a country as assistance for more than half a century.

But perhaps the most common understanding and perception of the word “donation” is associated with medicine, where a donor is someone who shares his blood so that it can be transfused to other patients, or even someone who gives his internal organ for transplantation. The one who receives blood or an organ from a donor is called a recipient.

In modern medicine, such types of donation as blood donation, sperm donation, milk donation and, of course, tissue and organ donation are especially common. However, blood donation is still the most common. Many people are interested in donating blood: benefits and harms. Blood donation and its consequences for the body.

WHO on blood donation

The enormous importance of donation is noted and repeatedly emphasized by the World Health Organization. WHO experts believe that the most effective donation is voluntary donation, and when determining the safest donors, WHO experts gave preference to voluntary unpaid blood donors, who belong to those population groups that have minimal risks.

WHO Fact Sheet No. 279 released facts on blood donation for 2011, and, according to the figures provided, it turned out that the national blood stocks of more than sixty countries are formed entirely or almost entirely (more than 99.9%) from exclusively voluntary and completely unpaid donations (the word “donation” comes from the English donation, which means “donation”).

However, as WHO reports, in about forty countries around the world, national blood reserves are formed on a voluntary and free donor basis in only less than a quarter of cases.

The goal of the World Health Organization was formed in a resolution of the World Health Assembly (adopted in 1975) - by 2020, to receive all blood supplies only from voluntary and absolutely free donors.

Interesting! The 58th World Health Assembly, which took place in May 2005, adopted a resolution establishing an annual World Blood Donor Day. By decision of representatives of 192 states, this day is celebrated on June 14. Sponsors the annual world day blood donor World Health Organization, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRCRCS), International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT). It is very important that every year on June 14, sponsoring organizations hold some important event on a global scale.

In 2015, World Blood Donor Day was celebrated under the theme “Thank you for saving my life!” to once again emphasize that blood donors and blood transfusions save millions of lives every year. In addition, another goal was to bring to life the slogan “Rent Free, Rent Often. Blood donation is important”, encouraging people around the world to donate blood, thereby saving other lives.

Unfortunately, not all countries yet test donated blood properly to completely eliminate the possibility of transmission of any infection through blood, including such dangerous ones as HIV/AIDS, hepatitis B and C, syphilis and others infectious diseases(there are slightly less than forty such camps).

To ensure that the blood being transfused is suitable for a particular patient, blood received from donors must be tested and determined.

WHO experts emphasize that it is very important that all blood supplies are absolutely safe, so all donated blood always undergoes the most thorough testing and all necessary screening procedures.

Dispelling myths about donation

Since blood has always been not only a necessary source of life, but also a kind of mystical substance, the embodiment of life and death, the embodiment of kinship, a symbol of health, it is not at all surprising that many myths have formed around blood and, especially, around blood donation.

However, first you need to remember how much blood is contained in any person and what part of this blood can be donated without harm to your body.

According to many observations and special studies, scientists and physiologists have found that the volume of circulating blood, or BCC, is determined depending on a person’s weight: for every kilogram of body weight, there is from 50 ml to 80 ml of blood in the body. As for the total volume of circulating blood, to determine this value it is customary to multiply body weight in kilograms by 0.077 (a certain average value, which determines the amount of blood in liters per kilogram of weight). For example, if a person weighs 56 kg, then the volume of blood in his body will be 56 x 0.077 = 4.312 liters.

It has been proven that a person can donate 12% of all blood in his body without harm to his own health: 4.312:100x12=0.517 liters.

As a rule, 450 ml of blood is taken from donors and an additional 40 ml for carrying out the necessary tests and analyzes (in total, 490-500 ml of blood is taken from the donor at one time).

Both the World Health Organization and donor societies different countries When calling on people to donate blood, they point out that blood transfusions, as well as the use of blood components when necessary, save many human lives.

Medical statistics have information that one out of three inhabitants of the Earth needs to receive a transfusion of blood or blood components at least once during their life. There are categories of sick people and people injured in various accidents for whom the use of donor blood, as well as drugs and/or blood components, is mandatory and ensures the success of the necessary specialized treatment.

• First of all, women who have lost a large number of blood during childbirth;
• Often blood transfusions are required for people who have suffered accidents, been injured, or lost a lot of blood during any accidents or disasters.
• Cancer patients often require blood transfusions.
• It is impossible to do without transfusion of donor blood or blood products for many specific blood diseases, which include leukemia, hemophilia, and aplastic anemia.
• Sometimes a transfusion of donor blood is required for complex diseases with a chronic course.
• Donor blood is absolutely necessary during a bone marrow transplant operation.
• Donor blood and the possibility of timely transfusion during many surgical interventions, including cardiac surgery, endoprosthetics, and other complex operations, are very important.

Thus, it becomes completely clear that modern medicine cannot do without blood transfusion, which is called “transfusion”. However, for a considerable number of people, the idea of ​​parting with their blood seems ridiculous and even scary. Although it is known that the body quickly restores lost volumes.

Unfortunately, a considerable number of prejudices, fears and peculiar myths have formed around blood donation, which, as a rule, have nothing behind them. However, any myth can be examined more closely and refuted if you have truthful information.

Myth No. 1. Donating blood is harmful to the donor.

In fact. If a person is healthy, then donation does not cause him the slightest harm, especially since the blood volume is quickly restored. In addition, this procedure stimulates and activates hematopoietic processes, which, of course, brings considerable benefits to a person.

Myth No. 2. By donating blood, you can get some kind of infection.

In fact. The procedure is completely safe, since all equipment at the donor points is completely sterile, only disposable needles and syringes, as well as blood transfusion systems are used, and the packages are opened immediately before the procedure so that the donor can see the unsealing process. After blood collection, used syringes and needles are destroyed (disposed of).

Myth No. 3. Many people are afraid that the donor procedure is very painful.

In fact. The blood donation procedure does not bring any pain, except for one thing - puncture of the skin and veins on the inside elbow. The strength of the sensations during this short-term impact is comparable to a gentle pinch, and the process of blood sampling itself is absolutely painless. It is significant that some donors donate blood multiple times.

Myth No. 4. Very few people need donor blood, so there is no point in donating it.

In fact. Any person may need the help of donors and blood transfusions. Medical statistics confirm that every third inhabitant of the planet has been forced to resort to blood transfusion at least once during his life.

Myth No. 5. It takes a long time to donate blood.

In fact. The blood donation procedure takes about fifteen minutes, a little longer is required to donate blood components (platelet or plasma) - these procedures can last from half an hour to an hour and a half.

Myth No. 6. Most often, what is needed is not blood of the 1st or 2nd groups, but of rare groups, so this is exactly the kind of blood that should be donated.

In fact. Blood of any group and with any Rh factor is constantly in demand.

Myth No. 7. Smokers cannot donate blood or be donors.

In fact. If a smoker donates blood, he should not smoke for an hour before the blood donation procedure and for at least an hour after the procedure.

Myth No. 8. Donating blood is a very tiring procedure, after which thorough rest is necessary.

In fact. After the blood sampling procedure, you should sit quietly for a quarter of an hour and on this day you should not engage in heavy physical work.

Myth No. 9. To restore lost blood and not feel the loss, you should eat nutritious food in large quantities both before and after the procedure.

In fact. At least a day before donating blood, you must avoid fatty and spicy foods, as well as fried and smoked foods. Eggs, dairy products including butter, dates and chocolate are not recommended at this time. Suitable foods before donating blood are cereals and pasta cooked in water, bread and crackers, vegetables, fruits (except bananas). Mineral water, compotes, juices, fruit drinks and sweet tea. After donating blood, meals should be regular and nutritious (a full five meals a day is best) - this eating regimen is necessary for at least two days.

Attention! Blood should not be donated on an empty stomach.

Myth No. 9. Some people claim that donating blood can make you fat.

In fact. People who donate blood do not gain weight from this procedure, but can gain weight because they do not adhere to the recommendations about the need for enhanced nutrition for two days after donating blood, continuing to eat in an enhanced mode even when there is no longer any need for it.

Myth No. 10. Donation can ruin your appearance, and your complexion can especially suffer.

In fact. People who donate blood regularly always have a healthy complexion because the blood is constantly renewed. And blood renewal, in turn, is an excellent prevention of various diseases of cardio-vascular system, immunity and all immune system, as well as work prevention gastrointestinal tract, including the liver. As a result, donors have a very good and healthy complexion, and their skin becomes completely clean and radiant.

Myth No. 11. Donation causes harm to the body because the body loses blood.

In fact. Evolutionary amount of blood in human body slightly exceeds what is necessary. It is very useful for a person to sometimes “change the reserve volume” of blood, so donation is also useful for the donor himself.

Myth No. 12. Donation cannot be considered normal, because with any blood loss and with any bleeding, the blood must be stopped as quickly as possible, and donors constantly lose up to half a liter of blood.

In fact. Donation can be regarded as a kind of training for the body - a donor has a better chance of coping with significant blood loss, since his body knows how to restore blood loss and is more ready for this than a person who has never donated blood. It is known that the blood balance in a normal situation can be restored to its original state in about four weeks, however, when the situation is critical, the donor’s body will be more adapted to react to blood loss.

Myth No. 13. Donating blood regularly can be addictive.

In fact. If blood is donated by a person who is completely healthy both physically and mentally, then no negative consequences occur even after donating blood multiple times.

Myth No. 14. People are best suited for blood from a donor of the same nationality.

In fact. The cellular composition of blood is the same in all people and does not depend on nationality. Blood is suitable not depending on the nationality of the donor, but depending on the group (one out of four) and on the Rh factor, which can be positive (85% of cases) and negative (15% of cases). The recipient (the person receiving the blood transfusion) is suitable for donor blood that has the same group and Rh factor as the recipient's blood, and nationality does not matter, as does gender, race or religion.

Myth No. 15. Along with the blood, some characteristics of the donor, such as beliefs or habits, can be transferred to the recipient.

In fact. Blood does not contain information about religion, political beliefs, musical preferences, or any habits, so none of the above is transmitted through blood. However, blood can tell about bad and dangerous habits, such as drug addiction, alcoholism or alcohol abuse, and infectious diseases. That is why the donor must be completely healthy.

Myth No. 16. The Church has a negative attitude towards donation.

In fact. Christianity, Islam and Judaism consider donation to be a desire to save the life of a neighbor and regard it as the embodiment of mercy, therefore they bless blood donation.

Of course, all the myths that have appeared and created around donation do not end there, however, any myth can be explained and debunked, because the importance of donation simply cannot be overestimated.

Does drawing blood affect your health?

Does donation affect health and can donating blood cause any negative consequences?

The entire history of blood donation confirms that donation does not entail any negative consequences, especially since long-term medical observations of donors from different countries have not only proven the harmlessness of the procedure, but also confirmed its preventive value and even benefits.

Turning to the history of medicine, one can find that back in the days Ancient World Bloodletting was known, which was used to strengthen vitality and to activate protective forces. After many hundreds of years, scientists conducted special studies and proved that bloodletting within reasonable limits really improves the tone of the body. As a result of research, scientists have proven that bloodletting (in this case, donation) can be considered a very effective prevention of many diseases of the cardiovascular system and gastrointestinal tract.

According to US medical statistics, male donors reduce their risk of cardiovascular events and diseases by 30%.

Interesting! Some male donors claim that donation has a positive effect on potency, enhancing it.

It is important that regular donation, that is, regular blood donation, stimulates the body to recover from blood loss as quickly as possible, which can be useful in an unforeseen difficult situation.

Based on the results of many clinical trials, doctors concluded that small but regular blood losses stimulate the body’s immune system, as the blood volume is renewed and replenished. In addition, after the blood donation procedure, erythrocytes (red blood cells) are especially actively produced, which stimulate a more active supply of necessary oxygen to all organs of the body.

Thus, donating blood and, especially, regular donation, have only a positive effect on the body and have many advantages.

How to prepare for donating blood?

Every person who has had to deal with serious health problems associated with significant blood loss knows about the role of donation. But even if everything is fine with health, you can learn about the meaning and importance of donation from the materials of the World Health Organization, others medical organizations and in medical institutions and/or at blood transfusion stations.

On modern stage Donating blood is a completely safe process that cannot pose the slightest threat to health.

However, you should know that only a person who has no contraindications for donation and who is 18 years old at the time of donating blood can become a donor, but the donor’s age should not exceed 60 years. The donor's weight should not be less than 50 kg.

If donating blood goes according to plan, then it is highly advisable to first (a day or two before) donate blood for a test, during which the blood type, Rh factor, level of hemoglobin, red blood cells and other components, as well as the possible course of hidden chronic diseases, are clarified. Immediately before donating blood, body temperature and blood pressure are measured.

The final decision on the possibility of donating blood is made by a transfusiologist immediately before the procedure.

In order to properly prepare for a planned blood donation, several conditions must be met.

1. Do not use aspirin or any painkillers three days before the blood donation procedure.
2. Avoid drinking any alcohol, including low-alcohol drinks, two days before donating blood.
3. Refuse fatty foods, as well as from meat and dairy foods in favor of cereals, baked goods and fruits - no less than 12 hours before donating blood, and preferably a day before.
4. Donors cannot donate blood on an empty stomach, so you must have breakfast with approved foods.
5. Smokers should not smoke for at least an hour before the blood collection procedure.

Attention! You can donate whole blood no more than five times within one year - the intervals between blood donations must be at least 60 days. Platelet and plasma donations are allowed more frequently, but are not recommended more than once a month as the body takes time to fully recover.

Contraindications for donation

Donation is noble. Donation is approved by the Church. Donation can save someone's life. But can everyone be a donor?

In fact, there are contraindications for donation, including absolute and temporary.

Absolute contraindications for blood donation:

1. AIDS/HIV
2. Any viral hepatitis, regardless of whether it is acute, chronic or only mentioned in the anamnesis.
3. Tuberculosis at any stage.
4. Any cancer at any stage.
5. Any blood disease and/or any abnormalities in the composition of the blood identified during biochemical analysis.

Temporary contraindications for blood donation:

1. ARVI, after full recovery from which at least a month must pass.
2. Tooth extraction and other surgical dental procedures, after which at least ten days must pass.
3. Vaccinations, after which, depending on the type of vaccine, should take from ten days to one year.
4. Acupuncture procedures, tattooing or piercing of any part of the body - at least a year must pass after these procedures.
5. Pregnancy in any trimester, as well as breastfeeding, must pass at least a year after birth, and at least three months after the end of lactation.
6. Menstruation and the week after it ends.

Attention! It is better not to plan blood donation during periods of intense emotional stress or significant physical activity.

conclusions

As they say, we all walk under God. And no one can know when he, his child, his loved one, his mother or his friend will need blood. Even in the most prosperous and safe countries for life, unforeseen situations happen.

In today's world, no one is immune from accidents. “Thank you for saving my life!” is not only the motto of this year's World Blood Donor Day, but these are words that can be uttered by thousands of people around the planet. Someone knows their donor and is grateful to a specific person, while others received salvation from a blood bank, where nothing is indicated except the group and Rh factor. And who should we thank in this case? And how to do this?

The best gratitude is to donate blood, which will also save someone’s life, and then there will be one less tragedy on the planet. Thanks to your blood, thanks to you.

Donor blood transfusion has a history of almost a century. Despite the fact that this procedure is quite familiar to many people, the process of donating blood is still surrounded by numerous myths. Today we set out to debunk the most common of them.

Source: depositphotos.com

Donating blood is harmful to health

The amount of blood circulating in the body of an adult is on average 4000 ml. It has been proven that the periodic loss of 12% of this volume not only does not have a negative effect on health, but also works as a kind of training that activates hematopoiesis and stimulates resistance to stress.

The volume of a one-time donation of donor blood does not exceed 500 ml (of which about 40 ml is taken for the purpose of testing). The body quickly replaces blood loss without any negative consequences.

The blood donation procedure is painful and tiring

Modern donor centers are equipped with everything necessary to make the person donating blood feel comfortable. The donor's discomfort is reduced to instant pain at the moment of needle insertion. The further procedure is absolutely painless.

Donating whole blood takes about a quarter of an hour. After its completion, the donor may experience slight fatigue, so on the day of the procedure it is not recommended to engage in heavy physical labor or go on a long trip. Donating blood components (plasma, platelets or red blood cells) can take up to one and a half hours.

There is a risk of donor infection

Many people believe that the donor is at risk of getting one of the dangerous blood-borne infections (for example, hepatitis C virus or HIV). Currently, this is absolutely excluded: only disposable instruments and devices are used for blood collection, which are unpacked in the presence of the donor, and after the procedure they are immediately disposed of.

The need for donor blood is low

Patients undergoing complex procedures require blood transfusions. surgical operations, women in labor with complicated childbirth, people with severe injuries or burns. Donor blood and its components are used in the treatment of leukemia and other oncological diseases. There are artificial blood and plasma substitutes, but their use has a number of contraindications, as they sometimes lead to negative side effects.

To fully provide the healthcare system with the required amount of blood, 40-50 people out of 1000 must be donors. In some European countries This ratio has been achieved, but in Russia this figure is still significantly below the norm.

According to statistics, every third person on our planet needs a blood or plasma transfusion at least once in their life. At the same time, the blood of absolutely all groups is in demand, and not just rare ones, as is sometimes believed.

Anyone can become a donor

This is far from true. In Russia you cannot become a donor:

• under the age of 18 or over 60 years of age;
• having a body weight of less than 50 kg;
• being infected with hepatitis, human immunodeficiency virus or tuberculosis;
• having any blood disorders or diseases of the blood (blood-forming organs);
• suffering from cancer.

Temporary restrictions on blood donation apply:

• for pregnant women (blood will be accepted no earlier than one year after birth);
• for nursing mothers (they can become donors three months after the end of lactation);
• for women during menstruation (blood donation is allowed at least a week before it starts or a week after it ends);
• for people who had the flu or acute respiratory viral infection less than a month ago;
• for patients who have undergone dental surgery (at least ten days must pass);
• for people who were treated with acupuncture less than a year ago, or who had a tattoo (piercing) of any part of the body;
• for patients who have recently undergone vaccination (the period elapsed before donating blood depends on the type of vaccine and ranges from ten days to a year).

In addition, an exemption from donation can be obtained if tests on the day of the procedure show the presence of inflammatory process or traces of alcohol, increased body temperature or if there are serious deviations from normal indicators blood pressure. Men can donate blood no more than five times a year, and women - four times a year.

Donating blood for transfusion requires a responsible attitude. Two days before the procedure, the donor must give up alcoholic beverages. You should refrain from smoking for at least an hour before blood collection. Three days before the procedure, you must stop taking medications that reduce blood clotting (including aspirin and painkillers).

The donor should eat high-calorie foods before and after the procedure

The day before donating blood, you should not eat fatty, dairy, meat foods, eggs, smoked foods, chocolate, bananas, canned food and fast food.

It is important that the future donor does not make mistakes that could negatively affect his health. It is better to donate blood in the first half of the day. Before the procedure, you need to get a good night's sleep, have breakfast, preferring porridge or pastries and sweet tea. After donating blood, you should eat a balanced diet (at least five times a day if possible) and remember to drink plenty of fluids to replace blood loss.

Donating blood may cause weight gain

Donation itself (including regular donation) does not affect body weight in any way. There is a risk of gaining weight for those people who, having misunderstood the recommendations for nutrition, begin to intensively consume high-calorie foods to donate blood and cannot stop in time.

Donation is bad for your appearance

Some women are hesitant to donate blood, believing that this will negatively affect their complexion and skin elasticity. In fact, regular donation activates the work of the hematopoietic organs, causes the blood to renew itself faster, and has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the immune, cardiovascular and digestive systems.

Donors, as a rule, do not have problems with the tone and color of their skin. They are cheerful, fit, active and have a positive attitude.

Regular donation is addictive

In this case, we can talk about addiction only in the sense of increased resistance of the body to various stresses, diseases and negative influences of the external environment. Thus, regular blood donation teaches the body to quickly replenish blood loss, which can play a positive role in the event of an injury or illness from which no one is immune.

It has been clinically proven that donation reduces the risk of developing cardiovascular pathologies. Some men note that regular blood donation has a positive effect on potency.

For a successful blood transfusion, the donor and recipient must be of the same nationality

The statement has nothing to do with reality. The compatibility of the donor and the recipient (the person to whom the blood is transfused) depends solely on the composition of the blood, that is, the presence or absence of certain proteins in it. For transfusion, the compatibility of blood groups (AB0 system) and Rh factor is important. These indicators are distributed almost equally among different races and ethnic groups.

With a suitable protein composition, donor blood can be transfused to the recipient regardless of gender, age or nationality.

There are four types of blood donation, namely: allogeneic, targeted, replacement and autologous.

Basic requirements for a donor

• Good health.
• Minimum age is 17 years.
• The donor must weigh at least 50 kg.

Types of Blood Donation

Blood donation is divided into types depending on the recipient of the blood. Thus, one type of blood donation is allogeneic donation, also called homologous. It involves the donation of blood by a donor for storage in a blood bank for subsequent transfusion to an unknown recipient.

Purposeful donation is the donation of blood by a donor for transfusion to a known or designated recipient. In this case, the donor is usually a family member of the recipient.

Healthy donors can donate approximately one unit

The donor should not take antibiotics or any blood thinning medications.

Substitute

Another type of blood donation is called replacement blood donation. It is a combination of the first two types of donation and involves the donation of blood by the recipient's loved ones or family members to replace the blood that was taken for transfusion from a blood bank. The purpose of such donation is to constantly replenish the supply of blood for transfusion.

Autologous

This type of donation involves transfusing blood back to the donor after the recipient recovers from a health problem or procedure, such as surgery.

The acceptable frequency of blood donation depends on which component of the blood is taken.

• When donating whole blood, the next donation is possible after 56 days.
• If you donate a double dose of red blood cells, you can donate blood the next time after 112 days.
• When donating red blood cells and plasma, repeated blood donation is allowed after 56 and 28 days, respectively.
• For plasma, donations may be more frequent when donating at a commercial plasma collection center.
• When donating platelets, you should wait 2-3 weeks, and there should be no more than 24 donations per year.
• The donor should not donate blood for 8 weeks prior to donation (less in case of apheresis).

Requirements for donors

Requirements for blood donors vary from country to country. However, there are certain norms that are followed in most countries. The main requirement for a donor is good health. Minimum age is 17 years. In this case, the donor must weigh at least 50 kg. A physical examination and blood tests may be required. The results help doctors determine whether a person is healthy enough to donate blood. In addition, sometimes for review purposes medical history candidates for donors are interviewed. All information received is very important in determining a person’s suitability to donate blood.

As a rule, pregnant women do not donate blood, as well as people who travel to certain places, suffer from any disease, or take certain medications or are vaccinated as a preventive measure against any kind of infection or disease. These are just some of the requirements that must be met to be a donor. As mentioned earlier, such requirements may vary from country to country. For more accurate information regarding the possibility of being a blood donor, you can contact medical specialists.

Side effects of blood donation

Initially, there were many misconceptions about blood donation. It was considered a way of transmitting diseases such as AIDS, hepatitis, etc. This prevented many people from donating their blood. However, gradually people realized that blood donation is absolutely safe as all kinds of safety measures are taken at various stages of blood donation.

First of all, donor candidates must undergo a series of established procedures that determine whether they are suitable for donating blood or not. The blood is also checked to determine whether it is suitable for transfusion. In addition, in order to eliminate the slightest chance of infection when drawing blood from a vein, disposable syringes and needles are used. Thus, blood donation is safe in all respects.

One of the side effects of donation is headache...

This blood loss is replaced by the body within one day. And replacement of lost blood cells bone marrow happens in a couple of weeks. After donating blood, you often experience slight dizziness and lightheadedness. However, these effects pass quickly. Most often, side effects from donating blood occur in adolescents. In fact, about 11% of teenagers experience them. Adults are much less likely to suffer any side effects from blood donation. However, the following symptoms may occur:

• Lightheadedness and fainting.
• Increased sweating and chills.
• Joint stiffness.
• Stress.
• Nausea and cramps.
• Tingling sensation in the lips or nose.

These side effects are temporary and disappear a day or two after donation. If they persist, you should consult a doctor.

Types of blood donation and side effects

Apart from whole blood collection, there are some other types and methods of collecting donated blood. Collectively these are known as automated blood collection processes.

Apheresis

Apheresis is a process during which only platelets are taken from the donor, then all other components of the blood are returned to the donor's body. This is a long process, requiring 1.5 to 2 hours. First, whole blood is taken from the donor and sent for processing. After the platelets are separated, the plasma and remaining blood cells are transfused back into the donor's body. There are few side effects to this process since most of the blood is returned to the donor.

Donating blood using the device for automatic collection of blood components Alix (Alyx)

This blood donation is also called a double red blood cell donation. Side effects from this method of donating blood are minimal. It allows the donor to donate 2 units of blood volume at a time. However, only red blood cells are separated from the blood, and its remaining components are returned back to the donor’s body. This process is very similar to apheresis with the difference that it is continuous.

Blood taken from the donor's body enters a special apparatus that separates red blood cells from it and returns it back to the donor's body. Side effects from donating a double dose of red blood cells are minimal due to blood replacement and the small size of the needles. In addition, the continuity of the process allows for less time to be spent on its implementation - only about 25 minutes.

Plasmapheresis

This process is similar to the previous two. The only difference is that in this case the component separated from the blood is plasma. The remaining components are returned to the donor's body. Side effects are more or less similar to those of whole blood transfusions.

In general, the side effects of blood donation can be minimized by taking appropriate precautions, including drinking plenty of fluids and good welcome food before donating blood. In addition, good sleep is required both before and after blood donation.

What to do if you want to become a blood donor (video)

Photo: donateblood.com.au, franklinfernandes.com,

Donating blood: benefits and harms. Blood donation

Comments

I really wanted to become a donor, but I was refused due to recurrent herpes ((

A donor is sometimes a giver - a giver of life, think about it.

DONATE blood means DONATE IMMUNITY.

I am a 40-year-old man, I started donating blood at the age of 32 - 19 times. At first, hemoglobin was 145; over two years it dropped to less than 130; I had to take a longer break of 90 days. In men, the minimum hemoglobin level is 130. The doctor told me to eat meat, but eating did not help - hemoglobin was poorly restored. Another donor (woman) advised taking Fenyuls - for women with heavy menstruation - it contains iron. 10 tablets help - hemoglobin 170 (off scale bad). After the first 5-8 blood donations, I felt an improvement in my health in the first hours - every resuscitator knows the golden hour. The body detected the bleeding and activated it for a couple of hours. I caught a cold twice immediately after bleeding, which means that the immune system is activated for a couple of hours, and then weakens along with the body. I asked other doctors about these affairs in the state. In clinics they keep everything quiet, but in a commercial cardiologist he said that donating blood is harmful - your blood pressure rises - treatment is then long and expensive. You can rarely donate blood for your own people. The last kickbacks increased the pressure from 150 to 95 and the pulse! Then it stabilized. It hurts to look at 20-year-old youth who are worth pennies. and a certificate from the university. ruins your health. The last five years - all young people over 50 are generally donors, I think they are deliberately rejected. It is necessary to limit the age of blood donation from 30 years! Bloodsuckers also reject me, sometimes my blood is fatty, sometimes my hemoglobin is 123, it’s a 4-hour drive and there are queues everywhere (young meat sits) - it’s not profitable and tiring, and I also suffer from gluttony all the way. I would give up altogether, but it won’t be long before I’m an honorary donor; in 10 years I’ll give it up no matter what, and at work they pay for certificates for time off.

Victor. Donation is forced. They go to the SEC as if it were a holiday. They became drug addicts. There is an opinion that those who have taken it become accustomed to the procedure and need to carry it out. Chief physician Lipetsk Blood Station - such a phenomenon really exists.

Blood donation causes harm to the donor's body: 1. Acute vascular insufficiency.

1.1. Fainting.1.2. Collapse.

2. Acute coronary insufficiency.

3. Anaphylactic shock.

4. Acute cerebrovascular accident.

Donating is addictive. The phenomenon has been defined as chronic donor syndrome (CHD). Endogenous opiates. The stress stimulus is blood loss. euphoric effect for hours. For the first time 200 ml. See your health. If the donation is successful, do not pump out, then in the second donation up to 450 ml ± 10%, and up to 40 ml for tests. It turns out up to 535 ml per 1 donation.

The first donation of donor blood was very easy, there were no negative consequences, no dizziness, no weakness. This worried me a little, and I decided to look up the benefits or harms of blood donation for the body.

9. The effect of blood collection on the donor’s body

The upper limit for a single blood donation is set for donors - no more than 450 ml. As mentioned above, for donors under 20 years of age and over 55 years of age, this limit is limited to a dose of 300 ml (usually 250 ml).

For regular donors, the maximum permissible frequency and intervals between blood donations are established - no more than 5 times a year with breaks of at least 2 months. After the fifth blood donation, the interval should be at least 3 months. This helps prevent donors from developing iron deficiency anemia.

Within 5 days after each blood donation in a volume of 400 ml, the hemoglobin level decreases by 10% from the original level. Full recovery The initial hemoglobin level occurs in approximately 1 month. The number of red blood cells usually returns to its original level a little earlier - a day or so. But need to consider the different ability hematopoietic system to recovery depending on the age of the donor: for example, in persons under 20 years of age and over 55 years of age, hematopoiesis indicators are restored somewhat more slowly, which is why some restrictions on the dose of blood donated are introduced for them.

10. Complications during donation

Complications during donation are local and general.

Among local complications, hematomas in the donor's cubital fossa due to improper puncture of the vein come first. According to Boyton and Taylor, hematoma occurs in 10.1% of all cases. It usually goes away without treatment within a few days. In rare cases, a more significant hematoma may press ulnar nerve and cause temporary paralysis of the arm (Schmidt, Holland, 1969).

If an infection is introduced under the skin when a vein is punctured with a needle, an abscess or cellulitis may develop, and if infectious material enters the vein, local thrombophlebitis may occur. In rare cases, thrombophlebitis may be accompanied by reactive arthrosis of the elbow joint.

If you are hypersensitive to iodine, after lubricating the skin in the elbow fossa, a local allergic reaction may appear. skin reaction, accompanied by redness and swelling of the skin, and sometimes fever and skin rash.

Rare local complications may include paresis or paralysis of the arm due to an erroneous injection into the nerve, or epicondylitis of the elbow joint.

Complications general

Some general complications after donating blood occur as a result of irritation of the vagus nerve and inverse abdominal vasodilation, and the other part as a result of vasoconstriction. The first type of complications is more frequent and is typical for young people, and the second - for older people over 55 years of age.

Some emotional donors, usually during the first donation, develop signs of lipothymia: weakness. pallor, sweating, vomiting without cardiac dysfunction, without a decrease in blood pressure and without loss of consciousness. This condition goes away quickly and without treatment.

Syncope. In a certain part of donors, instead of generalized vasoconstriction as a result of irritation of the vagus nerve, vasodilation occurs in the abdominal area. This vascular-vagal reaction causes the onset of pathological condition, called syncope. Some donors experience prodromal symptoms: feeling hot, dizzy. If the reaction intensifies and continues, pallor and sweating appear (in 2/3 of cases), decreased blood pressure, dilated pupils and vomiting; after this, loss of consciousness occurs (in 95% of cases), the donor falls, muscle cramps or generalized convulsions (up to 28%, according to Moloney). Sometimes urinary incontinence occurs.

Syncope disappears within a few minutes if the donor is laid horizontally with his knees bent. Syncope disappears after the disappearance of acute cerebral hypoxia. It usually doesn’t come down to drug treatment; only tonics (coffee, caffeine) are given.

In very rare cases, syncope occurs later and may recur several times. This condition can last up to a day. In this case, systematic treatment of acute cardiovascular disease should be started.

An interesting condition is the so-called “epidemic syncope”. If in a group of donors one person experiences syncope, then it also appears in others. This confirms that the causes of this complication lie in instability nervous system donors.

General reactions caused by irritation of the vagus nerve occur mainly in people donating blood for the first time, most often in younger people. With increasing age (over 35 years in women and 45 years in men), their frequency decreases by approximately 50%. Some authors believe cardiopsychoneurosis With increased tone the vagus nerve favors the development of this reaction. The most important factor in the occurrence of such reactions is the state of the donor’s psyche - anxiety and fear before donating blood.

Syncope occurs less frequently when the temperature in the room where the blood is drawn is moderate, and more often when the temperature is high and the room is stuffy. Cagnard often observed reactions after blood was drawn in summer days before the onset of a thunderstorm, when barometric pressure dropped sharply.

Very often, painful, lengthy and painful vein puncturing, accompanied by prolonged blood collection, is a cause of anxiety for the donor and can contribute to the occurrence of a reaction.

TO general reactions and complications are predisposed by night shift work performed a sleepless night, long travel, large meals or prolonged fasting before donating blood. Taking blood in a reclining position in a special chair, as well as abruptly and quickly getting up from the bed immediately after donating blood can cause a donor reaction. In view of this, in order to reduce the possibility of syncope after the end of the procedure, the donor is recommended to remain in a semi-recumbent position for at least 5 minutes. Taking cold liquid at this time is an effective remedy against collapse: cold liquid causes constriction of blood vessels in the abdominal area.

As a result of blood donation, severe cardiovascular and cerebral complications may occur and manifest clinically, although rarely. Based on a huge statistical material (3.5 million observations), Boyton and Teylor identified 8 deaths from coronary insufficiency and 2 deaths from cerebral thromboembolism. In addition, the same authors noted 2 cases of angina pectoris, 1 case of thromboembolism coronary vessels during blood collection, 3 cases of cerebral thromboembolism and 1 case of acute coronary insufficiency.

Tetany. The blood donation procedure has a fairly pronounced stressful effect on the donor. This is usually clinically manifested by an increase in heart rate and respiratory rate. A significant increase in breathing frequency can lead to the development of hyperventilation syndrome, the manifestations of which are carpopedal spasm, positive Chvostek’s sign, and respiratory alkalosis.

Air embolism. Possible due to technical errors; characterized by noisy entry of air into the donor’s veins, cyanosis, shortness of breath, increased breathing, severe cough and tachycardia. A serious danger to the life of the donor exists when the amount of air introduced is more than 30 ml.

At air embolism The donor is placed on his left side and allowed to breathe oxygen. If necessary, antipsychotics and drugs that improve cardiac activity and peripheral circulation are used.

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Donating Blood - Processes, Risks and Health Benefits

Blood donation (donation) is the act of voluntarily donating one's blood products for use in transfusion and/or as biopharmaceuticals in a process called fractionation (separating components of whole tissue). This uses both whole blood and specific components directly (in a process called apheresis). Banks are often involved in the collection process, as well as the procedures that follow it.

Pregnancy. Due to the cost of the procedure, IVF is usually tried after less expensive options have failed. IVF can be used in egg donation or surrogacy, where the woman providing the egg will possibly carry the pregnancy through. This.

In the developed world, most donors are unpaid volunteers (voluntary unpaid repeat donation) who donate blood to the community. In poorer countries, established supplies are limited and blood donation usually occurs when family members or friends of the donor require a transfusion (directed donation). For many donors, donating blood is an act of charity, and in countries that allow paid donation, some people receive payment for it, but there are other incentives beyond cash, such as paid time off from work. Blood can also be donated for your own future use (in the case of autologous donation). Donating blood is relatively safe, but some donors may experience bruising where the needle was inserted or feel weak.

Potential donors are assessed for anything that might make their blood unsafe for use. Screening includes testing for diseases potentially transmitted by blood transfusion, including HIV and viral hepatitis. The donor must also answer questions about their medical history and undergo a short physical examination to ensure that the process is not harmful to their health. The frequency of blood donation can vary from a few days to months based on gender and country laws. For example, in the US, donors must wait 8 weeks (56 days) between whole blood donations and only 7 days between platelet apheresis.

The amount of blood donated and methods vary. Harvesting can be done manually or using automatic equipment that only accepts certain parts of the tissue. Most components used for transfusion have a short shelf life and maintaining a constant supply is a challenge. This has led to some increased interest in autotransfusion, a process in which a patient's blood is stored during surgery for continuous re-infusion or alternatively "self-donated" before it is needed. The concept of "donation" does not generally refer to giving to oneself, although the word has become somewhat acceptably idiomatic in this context.

The process of donating blood and its types

Donations are divided into groups depending on who will receive the collected blood. “Allogeneic” (also “homologous”) donation involves donating blood for storage in a special bank for transfusion to an unknown recipient. “Directed” donation, when a person, often a family member, donates it for transfusion to a specific person. Directed donation is relatively rare when supply exists. Replacement donation is a hybrid of the two processes and is common in developing countries such as Ghana. In this case, a friend or family member of the recipient donates blood to replace that already stored and used in the transfusion, ensuring a consistent supply. When a person has a supply of blood that will be transfused back to the donor in more late date, usually after surgery, this is called “autologous” donation. Blood that is used to make drugs may be collected in an allogeneic donation or a donation used exclusively for manufacturing.

It is sometimes collected using methods similar to therapeutic phlebotomy, similar to ancient bloodletting practices used to treat conditions such as hereditary hemochromatosis or polycythemia. This blood is sometimes considered donated, but may be immediately discarded if it cannot be used for transfusion or further production.

The process itself varies according to country law, and guidelines for donors depend on the collecting organization. The World Health Organization (WHO) makes recommendations for donation policies, but many of these are not followed in developing countries. For example, recommended tests require laboratory equipment, trained personnel and specialized reagents, all of which may not be available or too expensive in developing countries.

In the West, an event in which donors come to donate allogeneic blood is sometimes called a “blood drive” (“donor day”) or “donor session.” It can also be carried out in a blood bank, but often in public place, such as shopping mall, workplace, school or house of worship.

Video about donating blood

Screening

The donor is usually required to consent to the process, and this requirement means that a minor cannot become a donor without the permission of a parent or guardian. In some countries, the answers involve the donor's blood but are not named to ensure anonymity; in others, such as the US, names are stored to create lists of ineligible donors. If a potential donor does not meet these criteria, their blood donation is “deferred.” This term is used because many donors who are not eligible to give blood may be allowed to donate later. In the US, blood banks may be required to label the material if it is donated by a therapeutic donor. Therefore, some do not accept material from donors with any blood disease. Others, such as the Australian Red Cross Blood Service, accept tissue from haemochromatosis patients. This genetic disease, which does not affect the safety of the hematopoietic product.

The race and ethnicity of the donor is sometimes important because some types of blood, especially rare ones, are more common in certain ethnic groups. Historically, donors have not been segregated or excluded on the basis of race, religion or ethnicity, but this is no longer standard practice.

Donors are screened for health risks that could make donating blood unsafe for the recipient. Some of these restrictions are controversial, such as those limiting donation to men who have sex with men due to the risk of HIV infection. In 2011, the UK (excluding Northern Ireland) reduced its blanket ban on such donors to a narrower restriction that would prevent them from giving blood only if they had had sex with other men in the past year. US Senator John Kerry sought to end a similar 28-year ban in the United States. Autologous donors are not always screened for recipient safety issues since the donor is the only person who will receive the material. Questions are also asked about taking medications such as dutasteride, as they can be dangerous for the pregnant woman receiving the blood.

Donors are screened for signs and symptoms of diseases potentially transmitted through transfusion, such as HIV, malaria and viral hepatitis. Screening may include questions about risk factors for various diseases, such as travel to countries where malaria or variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) is a threat. The issues are different in all countries. For example, blood centers in Quebec, Poland and many other places defer donors who lived in the UK due to the risk of vCJD, and restrict donors in the UK only due to the risk of vCJD if they received transfusions in the UK.

The donor is also examined and answered specific questions about his medical history to ensure that donation is not a risk to his health. He takes a hematocrit, or hemoglobin, test to make sure blood loss won't cause anemia, and this test is the most common reason for failure. Pulse, blood pressure and body temperature are also measured. Elderly donors are sometimes also deferred due to age problems with health. The safety of donation during pregnancy has not been thoroughly studied, and pregnant women tend to delay it.

If the donor's blood will be used for transfusion, its type must be determined. Collection facilities typically identify the group by type A, B, AB, or O and Rh (D) type and screen for antibodies and less common antigens. Additional testing, including cross-match testing, is usually performed before transfusion. Group O is often cited as a "universal donor", but this only applies to red blood cell transfusions. For plasma transfusion, on the contrary, group AB is the universal donor type.

In most cases, the blood is tested for diseases, including some STDs. The tests used are highly sensitive screening tests and no actual diagnosis is made. Later it is discovered that some results are false, and in these cases a more specific analysis is used. False negatives are rare, but donors are discouraged from using blood donations for anonymous STD screening because a false negative could indicate a contaminated device. At positive results blood is usually discarded, but there are some exceptions, such as autologous donations. The donor is usually informed of the test result.

There are many tests for donated blood, but the main ones recommended by WHO are:

• Hepatitis B surface antigen
• Antibodies to hepatitis C
• Antibodies to HIV, usually subtypes 1 and 2
• Serological tests for syphilis

In 2006, WHO reported that 56 of 124 countries surveyed did not use these basic tests for all donations.

A variety of other tests for bloodborne infections are often used, depending on local requirements. Additional testing is expensive, and in some cases tests are not performed due to cost. These additional tests include other infectious diseases, such as West Nile virus. Sometimes multiple tests are used for a single disease to cover the limitations of each. For example, the HIV antibody test does not identify a recently infected donor, so some blood banks use a p24 antigen or HIV nucleic acid test in addition to the basic antibody test to detect infected donors during this period. Cytomegalovirus is a special case in donor testing in that many donors will test positive for it. The virus is not harmful to healthy recipients, but can harm infants and other recipients with weakened immune systems.

Receiving blood

There are two main ways to obtain blood from a donor. The most common is a simple collection from a vein in the form of solid material. This blood is usually divided into parts, red blood cells and plasma, since most recipients only need a specific component for the transfusion. The typical donation volume is 450 ml of whole blood, although 500 ml is also common. Historically, donors in India donate only 250 or 350 ml, and donors in the PRC donate only 200 ml, although larger volumes of 300 and 400 ml have become more common.

Another method is to take blood from a donor, separate it using a centrifuge or filter, save the desired portion, and return the rest to the donor. This process, called apheresis, is often carried out using a machine specifically designed for this purpose. It is especially characteristic of plasma and platelets.

For direct transfusions, a vein may be used, but the blood may be drawn from an artery instead. In this case, it is not stored, but is pumped directly from the donor to the recipient. It was early method transfusion, which is rarely used in modern practice. It was discontinued during World War II due to logistical problems, and doctors returning to civilian life after treating wounded soldiers created canned blood banks.

Site preparation and blood collection

Blood is taken from big vein arms close to the skin, usually from the middle cubital vein on the inside of the elbow. Skin over blood vessel cleansed with an antiseptic such as iodine or chlorhexidine to prevent skin bacteria from contaminating the collected blood and to prevent infection at the site where the needle pierces the donor's skin.

A large needle (16-17 gauge) is used to minimize shearing forces that can physically damage the red blood cells as they flow through the needle. Sometimes a tourniquet is wrapped around the upper arm to increase blood pressure in the brachial vein and speed up the process. The donor may also be asked to hold the object and squeeze it several times to increase blood flow through the veins.

One piece material

In the most common method, blood from the donor's vein is collected in a container. Its quantity varies from 200 to 550 ml depending on the country, but the typical volume is this ml. The blood is usually stored in a flexible plastic bag that also contains sodium citrate, phosphate, dextrose, and sometimes adenine. This combination prevents it from curdling and preserves it during storage. Sometimes other chemicals are added during processing.

Whole plasma can be used to prepare plasma for transfusion, or it can also be processed into other drugs through a process called fractionation. This was the development of dried plasma used to treat casualties during World War II, and variations of the process are still used to make many other medicines.

Apheresis

Apheresis is a method of donating blood in which it is passed through a machine that separates one specific component and returns the remainder to the donor. The usually returned component is red blood cells, the part that takes the longest to recover. With this method, a person can donate plasma or platelets much more often than whole blood. They can be combined, i.e. the donor donates plasma and platelets at one time.

Platelets can also be separated from the whole material, but they must be combined from multiple donations. A therapeutic dose requires 3-10 units of whole blood. Plateletpheresis provides at least one full dose from each donation.

Plasmapheresis is often used to collect a source of plasma, which is used in the manufacture of medicines, much like plasma from whole blood. Plasma collected at the same time as plateletpheresis is sometimes called concomitant plasma.

Apheresis is also used to collect a larger than normal number of red blood cells in a single donation (commonly known as "double reds") and to collect white blood cells for transfusion.

Recovery and time between blood donations

Donors typically remain at the donation site for minutes after the process, as most adverse reactions occur during or immediately after the procedure. These centers typically provide snacks or a lunch allowance to help the donor recover. The puncture site is covered with a bandage, which is recommended to be kept on for several hours. In hot climates, donors are advised to avoid dehydration (strenuous gaming, alcohol) until several hours after donating blood.

The plasma donated by the donor is replaced after 2-3 days. Red blood cells are replaced by bone marrow in the circulatory system at a slower rate, on average in 36 days in healthy adult men. In one study, the range for recovery was days. These replacement rates are the basis of how often a donor can donate blood.

Plasmapheresis and plateletpheresis donors can donate material more often because they do not lose red blood cells in significant quantities. The frequency of blood donation varies by country. For example, plasmapheresis donors in the US are allowed to donate large volumes twice a week and can nominally donate 83 liters per year, while the same donor in Japan can only donate once every two weeks, i.e. about 16 liters per year. Red blood cells are the limiting step for whole material, and the frequency of donation varies depending on the type of donor and local policy. For example, an adult man in Hong Kong can donate once every three months, a woman every four months, and older adults only once every six months. In Canada and the US it is 56 days (8 weeks) for any type of donor.

Reception food additives with iron reduces the rate of donor delay due to low hemoglobin both in the first visit for donation and in subsequent ones. Donors taking iron supplements have higher hemoglobin and iron levels. On the other hand, iron supplements often cause diarrhea, constipation and gastrointestinal discomfort. The long-term effects of iron supplements without measuring iron stores are unknown.

Complications

Donors are screened for health problems that could put them at risk of developing serious complications due to donation. Those who came for the first time, teenagers and women are exposed to more high risk reactions. One study found that adverse reactions occurred in 2% of donors. Most of them were minor. The donation study found only one donor with long-term complications. In the United States, institutions accepting blood donors are required to report any death that could potentially be related to blood donation. An analysis of all reports from October 2008 to September 2009 assessed 6 events and found that 5 deaths were clearly unrelated to blood donation, and in the remaining case they found no evidence that blood donation was the cause of death.

Because of quick change blood pressure, a hypovolemic reaction may occur. Typically, the most serious problem is fainting.

The process has risks similar to other forms of bloodletting. Bruising on the shoulder from needle insertion is the most common complaint. One study found that this problem occurred in less than 1% of donors. Some less common complications of donation include arterial puncture, delayed bleeding, nerve irritation, nerve injury, tendon injury, thrombophlebitis, and allergic reactions.

Donors sometimes have adverse reactions to sodium citrate, used in apheresis collection procedures to control blood clotting. Because the anticoagulant is returned to the donor along with components that were not collected, it can bind calcium in the donor's blood and cause hypocalcemia. These reactions usually cause tingling in the lips, but may cause convulsions, seizures, hypertension or more serious problems. Sometimes donors are given calcium supplements at the time of donation to help prevent these side effects.

Apheresis procedures return red blood cells. If this is done manually and the donor receives blood from another donor, a transfusion reaction may occur. Manual apheresis is extremely rarely performed in the developed world due to this risk and because automated procedures are as safe as whole blood donation.

The ultimate risk to donors is equipment that has not been properly sterilized. In most cases, equipment that comes into direct contact with blood is discarded after use. Reused equipment was a serious problem in China in the 1990s, and plasma donors may have been exposed to HIV from shared equipment.

Storage, stock and demand

The collected blood is usually stored in a special bank in the form of separate components, and some of them have short shelf life. There are no solutions for storing platelets for long periods of time, although some have been studied since 2008. The longest shelf life for platelets is 7 days.

Erythrocytes (red blood cells), the most commonly used component, have a shelf life of days at low temperatures. For (relatively rare) long-term storage, the period can be extended by freezing the blood material with a glycerol mixture, but this process is expensive and requires an extremely cold freezer for storage.

Plasma can be stored frozen for long period time and usually has a shelf life of one year, so the problem of maintaining stock becomes less difficult.

Limited storage time means it's difficult to maintain a blood supply to prepare for a disaster. This issue was discussed in detail after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 in the United States, and consensus was reached that collection during a disaster was impractical and that efforts should be focused on maintaining an adequate supply at all times. Blood centers in the United States often have difficulty maintaining even a three-day supply for routine transfusion requirements.

Blood donation levels

Every year on 14 June, WHO celebrates World Blood Donor Day to promote blood donation. This is the birthday of Karl Landsteiner, the scientist who discovered the ABO system in determining blood type. For example, the 2012 World Blood Donor Day campaign theme, “Every Donor is a Hero,” focuses on how everyone can be a hero by donating blood. As of 2008, WHO estimates that more than 81 million units of blood are collected per year.

In the United States, it is estimated that only 111 million citizens, or 37% of the population, are eligible to become donors. However, less than 10% take it every year. In the UK, donation rates are only 4%, while in Canada it is 3.5%.

Benefit for health

In patients prone to iron toxicity, donating iron will prevent toxic amounts from building up. Donating blood may reduce the risk of heart disease for men, but the link has not been firmly established and may arise from selection bias because donors are screened for health problems.

A study published in 2012 found that repeat blood donation was effective in reducing blood pressure, glucose levels, HbA1c, low/high density lipoprotein ratio and heart rate in patients with metabolic syndrome.

Donor Compensation

The WHO set a goal in 1997 that all donated blood should come from voluntary donors, but as of 2006, only 49 of 124 countries surveyed had set this as the standard. Some countries, such as Tanzania, have made great strides towards this standard, with 20% of donors becoming unpaid volunteers in 2005 and 80% in 2007. However, 68 of the 124 countries surveyed by WHO have made little or no progress in this regard. In the US, most donors are still paid for plasmapheresis. Several countries rely on paid donors to maintain sufficient supplies. In some countries, such as Brazil and Australia, it is illegal to receive compensation, cash or other forms, for donating blood or other human tissue.

Regular donors often receive some kind of non-monetary recognition. Time off from work is a general benefit. For example, in Italy, donors receive payment for the day they donate blood, as if they were paid leave from work. Donor centers also sometimes add incentives, such as guarantees that donors are given priority in case of shortages, free T-shirts, first aid kits, windshield scrapers, pens and similar trinkets. There are also incentives for people who recruit potential donors, such as prize drawings for donors and awards for organizing successful days donor. Recognizing deserving donors is common. For example, the Singapore Red Cross Society awards awards to voluntary donors who have completed a specified number of donations under the Blood Donor Recruitment Programme, starting with a “Bronze Award” for 25 donations. The Malaysian government also offers free outpatient treatment and hospitalization benefits for donors, such as 3 months of free outpatient treatment for every blood donation. In Poland, after donating blood in a certain amount (18 liters for men and 15 liters for women), a person receives the title “Distinguished Honorary Donor” and a medal.

Most allogeneic donors donate blood as an act of charity and do not expect to receive any direct benefit from the donation. Sociologist Richard Titmas, in his 1970 book The Gift Relationship: From Human Blood to Social Policy, compared the merits of the for-profit and non-profit donation systems of the United States and Great Britain, with an advantage in favor of the latter. The book became a bestseller in the United States, leading to legislation regulating the private blood market. The book is still cited in modern debates about the commodification of blood. It was reissued in 1997 and the same ideas and principles apply to similar donation programs, such as organ and sperm donation.

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Everything about donation

Recommendations and opinions published on the site are for reference or popular information and are provided to a wide range of readers for discussion. The information provided does not replace qualified medical care based on medical history and diagnostic results. Be sure to consult your doctor.

Blood donation has become is no longer a novelty in modern times and therefore more and more attention is being paid to the development of this area in medicine. There are few people who are ready to sacrifice their blood for the life of another person, but there are still some. But blood is not a simple matter; it is very important that it meets certain requirements. If a person does not have serious illnesses, then he may well become a donor. Of course, many people have questions regarding the topic “ consequences of blood donation", but if you weren't sick to begin with, you don't have panic fear in front of the sight of blood and you are being treated by experienced medical specialists, then there can be no talk of any danger. The first step is to discuss everything with your doctor in order to establish your current state of health, determine what diseases can affect your blood, and how to cope with feelings of uncertainty, fear and anxiety not only for your subsequent condition, but also for the condition of the person who will receive treatment. blood transfusion assistance.

Consider the conditions for blood donation:

- Must have registration in that region where blood donation takes place. In its absence, no specialist will take risks and accept blood from stranger, even if he claims to be completely healthy and ready to become a donor.

— It is necessary to make a list of those components and food products to which the donor is allergic.

— List past diseases and transactions for the entire period.

— The age and weight of the donor should be indicated. By the way, the donor’s weight must be at least 50 kg, since this figure indicates the health of the donor and the loss of a certain amount of blood will not have disastrous consequences.

— Consent to donation and confirmation that the person is familiar with all the rules.

Consequences of blood donation, can sometimes be very, very significant. If a person was once sick with HIV, had syphilis, cardiosclerosis, emphysema and others serious illnesses, that is, there is a danger that all this will be transmitted along with the blood to the patient. Here we will no longer be talking about a possible recovery, since you may become responsible for the death of a person who could have been saved, but your blood was not ready for use. In clinics where hygiene and rules for receiving patients are violated, there is always the possibility of getting blood poisoning. Especially if one syringe is used twice or three times.

They donate a lot of blood, but there is still not enough of it. Each time this figure decreases due to human fear and mistrust of doctors who take blood for transfusion. The most significant consequence for a human donor is this is a decrease in red blood cells, and consequently a decrease in hemoglobin levels. Therefore, in order for everything to proceed calmly and a person not to worry about future well-being, he should take more calcium, consume fresh vegetables and fruits, as well as additional vitamins and minerals.