What disqualifies you from donating platelets? A comprehensive guide

Did you know that platelets have a very short shelf life, typically only seven days, making a steady supply critical for patients? To ensure the safety of both donors and recipients, strict guidelines determine what disqualifies you from donating platelets.

Quick Summary

Several factors can disqualify a person from donating platelets, including permanent conditions like HIV or hepatitis B/C, along with temporary deferrals for recent tattoos or piercings, certain medications like aspirin, and recent travel to high-risk areas.

Key Points

• Permanent Disqualifications: Conditions like HIV and chronic hepatitis B/C are permanent disqualifications for donating platelets.

• Medication Restrictions: Aspirin and certain other anti-platelet medications can cause a temporary deferral, so check with your donation center before giving.

• Recent Travel: Traveling to regions with endemic diseases like malaria or Zika virus often results in a temporary waiting period before you can donate.

• Tattoos and Piercings: A waiting period of several months is often required for new tattoos and piercings, especially if they were not performed in a state-regulated facility.

• Pregnancy and Antibodies: Pregnancy can cause the formation of HLA antibodies, which requires a specific waiting period and potential testing before a female donor can give platelets again.

• Good Health is Key: Being in generally good health, free of colds, flu, and other active infections, is a basic requirement for donating platelets.

General Eligibility Requirements

Before determining specific disqualifications, all potential donors must meet certain general eligibility criteria. These typically include being in good general health, meeting minimum age and weight requirements, and passing a pre-donation health screening. For platelet donation, most centers require donors to be at least 17 years old and weigh a minimum of 110 pounds.

Permanent Deferrals

Some conditions and medical histories result in a permanent, or indefinite, deferral from donating platelets. These measures are in place to protect the blood supply and ensure recipient safety from transmissible diseases or donor health issues. Permanent disqualifications include:

• History of viral hepatitis: Any history of Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C is a permanent deferral. A positive test for these viruses is a lifetime disqualification.
• HIV Positive: A positive test for HIV at any point in life permanently disqualifies a person from donating blood products.
• Certain types of cancer: A history of certain blood cancers, such as leukemia or lymphoma, results in a permanent deferral. Other cancers may allow for donation after a specific period of remission and treatment conclusion.
• Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease: This neurological condition, or travel to areas with a high risk of exposure to it, can lead to permanent deferral.
• Injected drug use: Anyone who has ever injected non-prescribed drugs is permanently ineligible to donate.
• Inherited blood disorders: Individuals with certain inherited blood-clotting disorders, such as hemophilia, are permanently disqualified.

Common Temporary Disqualifications

Many deferrals are temporary, meaning you can become eligible again after a waiting period. The length of the deferral depends on the specific reason.

Medications that Cause Deferral

Certain medications can affect platelet function or carry a risk to the recipient. It is crucial to inform the donation center of all medications you are taking.

• Aspirin: Platelets are affected by aspirin, so a 48-hour waiting period is required after taking any medication containing aspirin.
• Anti-platelet agents: Medications like clopidogrel (Plavix) or ticagrelor (Brilinta) require a deferral period, often around 14 days.
• HIV prevention medication: Oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) requires a three-month waiting period, while injectable PrEP requires a two-year waiting period.
• Acne medication: Medications like isotretinoin (Accutane) require a one-month waiting period.
• Prostate treatment: Finasteride (Proscar, Propecia) requires a one-month wait, while dutasteride (Avodart) requires six months.

Health and Medical Procedures

Recent health issues and certain procedures can also lead to temporary disqualification to ensure you are healthy and the donated platelets are safe.

• Infections and illness: Donors must be feeling well and healthy on the day of donation. A cold, flu, or other infection can cause a temporary deferral until symptoms have resolved.
• Pregnancy and childbirth: Pregnant individuals are not eligible to donate. After giving birth, a waiting period is typically required, often six weeks. Females who have been pregnant may also be tested for HLA antibodies, which could result in a permanent deferral from donating platelets or plasma.
• Recent surgery: Major surgical procedures usually require a waiting period, depending on the type of surgery and your recovery status.
• Low hemoglobin: If your hemoglobin level is below the required threshold, you will be deferred until your iron levels recover.

Lifestyle and Travel

Certain activities and travel can expose a person to risks that make them temporarily ineligible to donate.

• Tattoos and piercings: If received in a non-regulated facility, or in states where facilities are not regulated, a three-month waiting period is often required. If performed by a state-regulated establishment using sterile, single-use equipment, there may be no deferral period.
• Sexual health: Individuals with recent syphilis or gonorrhea treatment may be deferred. Additionally, recent sexual activity with multiple or new partners that involves certain risks may require a three-month waiting period based on FDA guidelines.
• International travel: Travel to areas with endemic diseases like malaria or the Zika virus can require a deferral period, varying from months to years, depending on the location and duration of your stay. For example, the CDC outlines specific waiting periods for travel to malaria-endemic regions.

Comparison of Deferral Types

Reason for Deferral	Type of Deferral	Common Duration	Notes
HIV Positive Test	Permanent	Indefinite	Lifetime disqualification.
Hepatitis B/C History	Permanent	Indefinite	Lifetime disqualification.
Aspirin Use	Temporary	48 hours	Affects platelet function.
Recent Tattoo/Piercing	Temporary	3 months	Dependent on state regulations and facility.
Pregnancy	Temporary	6 weeks postpartum	Protects donor and recipient; HLA antibody testing may be required.
Recent Illness (Flu/Cold)	Temporary	Until symptoms resolve	Donors must be in good health.
Malaria-risk Travel	Temporary	3 months to 3 years	Varies based on duration and location of travel.

The Importance of Being Honest in Screening

During the donation process, you will undergo a confidential health screening. It is critically important to answer all questions accurately and honestly. These questions are designed to protect both your health and the health of the recipient. Answering truthfully, even if it means a temporary deferral, is a vital part of ensuring the safety and integrity of the blood supply.

Conclusion

Understanding what disqualifies you from donating platelets is the first step toward becoming a safe and responsible donor. While some conditions result in permanent deferral, many others are only temporary. If you are ever in doubt about your eligibility, the best course of action is to contact your local blood donation center directly. They can provide the most accurate and up-to-date information based on current regulations and your specific circumstances.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you donate platelets if you are taking aspirin?

No, you must wait at least 48 hours after taking aspirin or any aspirin-containing medication before donating platelets, as aspirin affects platelet function.

How long after getting a tattoo can I donate platelets?

The waiting period for a tattoo is typically three months, unless it was done in a state-regulated facility that uses sterile, single-use equipment. This can vary by location, so it's best to confirm with your local donation center.

Does being pregnant disqualify you from donating platelets?

Yes, pregnant individuals are not eligible to donate. After giving birth, there is typically a waiting period of at least six weeks before eligibility can be reassessed.

Are there weight and age requirements for donating platelets?

Yes. Generally, a donor must be at least 17 years old and weigh a minimum of 110 pounds to donate platelets. Some donation centers may have additional requirements.

Can you donate platelets if you have high blood pressure?

You can donate platelets with high blood pressure as long as your blood pressure is within an acceptable range on the day of donation and is well-controlled by medication.

What if I have traveled to another country recently?

Recent international travel, especially to regions where diseases like malaria are endemic, can require a temporary deferral. The waiting period depends on the specific country and duration of your stay.

Is having a cold or flu a reason for disqualification?

Yes, if you are feeling unwell or have symptoms of a cold or flu, you must wait to donate. You must be symptom-free for a certain period before being eligible again, typically 24 to 72 hours.