Are You More Likely to Get Sick After Donating Platelets? Understanding the Risks

September 30, 2025 •

3 min read

Millions of platelet donations are made annually to save lives, but many donors wonder if the process impacts their immune health. While the process is generally safe, a 2020 nationwide study in Sweden revealed that very frequent donors using certain apheresis equipment might face a slightly elevated, dose-dependent risk of infections.

Quick Summary

Investigates whether platelet donation increases the risk of infection. While generally safe, recent research indicates a potential link between frequent donations using specific technology and a modest increase in infections for a small subset of donors. This is due to a rare side effect affecting specific white blood cells over time.

Key Points

Overall Safety: For most donors, platelet donation is a safe procedure with minimal, temporary side effects like lightheadedness or bruising.
Frequent Donation Risk: A 2020 study linked very frequent platelet donation using certain leukoreduction equipment to T-cell lymphopenia and a modest, long-term increase in infection risk.
Not a General Risk: The increased infection risk primarily affected a small group of very frequent donors and is not a concern for occasional donors.
The Cause: The risk is tied to the use of leukoreduction system (LRS) chambers, which can remove T-lymphocytes during the apheresis process.
Infection Type: The types of infections observed in frequent donors were generally modest, with varicella-zoster reactivation being a key finding.
Minimizing Discomfort: Proper hydration, good nutrition, and resting after your donation are important steps to ensure a smooth recovery.
Expert Monitoring: Blood collection agencies continuously monitor donor health and adjust protocols based on research findings to maximize donor safety.

Donating platelets is a life-saving procedure that helps patients with cancer, blood disorders, and severe injuries. Unlike whole blood donation, a procedure called apheresis separates your platelets while returning red blood cells and most of the plasma to your body. This difference in process leads many to question the impact on their overall health, particularly their immune system.

The Short-Term Experience: Mostly Mild Reactions

For the vast majority of donors, getting 'sick' after a platelet donation is not a concern. The body rapidly replaces the donated platelets, typically within 48 hours. Most side effects are minor and temporary. These can include:

Dizziness or lightheadedness, often due to fluid loss or a vasovagal reaction.
Bruising or pain at the needle insertion site.
Tingling around the mouth or chills, caused by the anticoagulant (citrate) used in the process to prevent the blood from clotting during apheresis.
A temporary feeling of fatigue.

Blood centers have protocols to manage these common occurrences, and staff are trained to help donors who feel unwell. By following aftercare instructions—resting, drinking fluids, and avoiding strenuous activity—most donors recover quickly and without issue.

The Long-Term Nuance: Frequency and Technology

Recent research has uncovered a potential link between very frequent platelet donation and a slightly increased risk of certain infections, but this is a complex issue and not a universal outcome for all donors. A significant finding from a 2020 Swedish nationwide study focused on frequent platelet donors who used apheresis equipment with a leukoreduction system (LRS) chamber. This system removes white blood cells from the donated product but can also deplete the donor's T-lymphocytes over time.

The Swedish Study Findings

The study found a dose-dependent increase in infection risk, particularly varicella-zoster reactivation and common bacterial infections, among very frequent donors using LRS chambers. This was associated with lower CD4+ T-cell counts. However, infections were rare in absolute terms, mostly occurring after donors stopped donating. The risks were linked to specific equipment and not severe opportunistic infections. Blood collection agencies are monitoring this research and may recommend T-lymphocyte monitoring for very frequent donors.

Protecting Your Health as a Donor

Preparation and aftercare are crucial for minimizing discomfort. Before donating, hydrate well, eat a nutritious meal, and inform staff of any concerns. After donating, rest for at least 15 minutes, stay hydrated, avoid strenuous activity, and monitor for side effects. Following these steps helps ensure a smooth recovery.

Platelet Donation: Occasional vs. Frequent Donors


Feature	Occasional Donor (1-10 donations/year)	Very Frequent Donor (20+ donations/year)
Immune System Impact	Minimal to no long-term effect on immune health.	A small, dose-dependent risk of T-cell lymphopenia and increased infections observed in studies involving certain equipment.
Risk of Getting Sick	Generally no increased risk. The "healthy donor effect" may even select for generally healthier individuals.	Slightly elevated risk of certain infections (e.g., varicella-zoster reactivation) identified in specific research cohorts.
Common Side Effects	Temporary lightheadedness, bruising, or mild citrate reactions are possible and resolve quickly.	Same common side effects, but some risks tied to lymphocyte depletion may appear over a long period.
Body Recovery	Platelets are replenished within 48 hours. Plasma fluids within 24 hours.	Same rapid platelet and plasma replenishment, but T-cell levels can be impacted long-term with specific apheresis equipment.
Health Guidance	Follow standard pre- and post-donation hydration and rest guidelines.	In addition to standard guidelines, frequent donors may require specific monitoring by their blood center.

Conclusion

For most occasional donors, platelet donation is safe with minimal, temporary side effects. A small subset of very frequent donors using specific apheresis equipment may have a modest, dose-dependent increase in infection risk due to T-cell depletion, as observed in some research. This risk is generally low, and severe infections are rare. The transfusion medicine community continues to research and optimize safety protocols to balance the benefits of donation with donor well-being. Discuss any health concerns with healthcare providers or donation center staff.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, some donors may experience mild, temporary side effects such as dizziness, lightheadedness, or slight fatigue. This is usually resolved by resting, having a snack, and drinking extra fluids after the donation.

For most donors, no. Your body's immune system functions normally after a standard donation. Research suggests a potential immune impact (T-cell depletion) only for a small subset of very frequent donors using specific leukoreduction equipment over many years.

A nationwide study found that some apheresis machines use a leukoreduction system (LRS) chamber that, over time and with very frequent use, can deplete T-lymphocytes. These cells are a key part of the immune system, leading to a modest, dose-dependent increase in infection risk for some long-term donors.

The risk is primarily associated with very frequent donations over many years. The Swedish study linked the effect to donors who had donated over 50 times during the 1- to 11-year exposure window.

A citrate reaction is a known side effect of apheresis, causing temporary tingling or chills due to the anticoagulant used. It is not a sign of illness, and donation center staff can manage it by slowing down the procedure.

The best preventative measures include proper hydration before and after your donation, eating a nutritious meal, and resting immediately following the procedure. Avoid strenuous exercise for at least 6-8 hours after donating.

For most donors, serious or lasting harm is rare. However, the long-term effects of T-cell lymphopenia in very frequent donors are still under investigation, and monitoring of T-lymphocyte counts for this specific group has been suggested.