WORLD BLOOD DONOR DAY

By Pharm. Glorious Attat

Who is a Blood Donor?

A blood donor is a person who gives blood for use in transfusion. Blood donation occurs when a person had blood drawn from his or her body and used for transfusions and or made into biopharmaceutical medications through fractionation.

When blood is donated, it is stored in the blood bank. A blood bank is a place where supplies of blood and plasma for transfusion are stored. The blood is stored in refrigerators at 6°C for up to 42 days. Platelets are stored at room temperature in agitators for up to 5 days. Plasma and cryo are frozen and stored in freezers for up to 1 year.

Who Can Donate Blood?

Most people can give blood if they are in good health. According to World Health Organization (WHO), there are some general basic requirements one needs to fulfil to be eligible to donate blood. They include:

• Age: Individuals between ages 18 and 65 are eligible to donate blood, although in some countries, national legislation permits 16 - 17years old to donate blood, provided they fulfil the physical and hematological criteria required.
• Weight: An individual should be up to 50kg to be eligible to donate blood.
• Health Condition:
• You must be devoid of any health condition to be eligible to donate blood.
• You cannot donate blood if you recently had a tattoo or body piercing for 6 months with effect from the date of the procedure, unless the body piercing was performed by a registered health professional and any inflammation has settled completely, then you can donate blood after 12 hours.
• If you have visited the dentist for a minor procedure, then, you cannot donate blood until after 12 hours and if a major procedure, then a month's wait is necessary.
• You must not donate blood if you do not meet the minimum hemoglobin level for blood donation which is:

• Travel: Travel to areas where mosquito - borne infections are endemic disqualifies one from being eligible to donate blood.
• Behavior's: You must not donate blood if you:
• engaged in "at risk" sexual activity in the past 12 months.
• have ever tasted positive for HIV/AIDS virus.
• have ever injected any recreational drugs.
• Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: A pregnant woman is not eligible to donate blood for the safety of the mother and child. A breastfeeding mother cannot donate blood until 3months after the baby is significantly weaned.

What Are The Different Blood Types?

O+, A+, B+, AB+, AB-, A-, B-, O-

Know Your Blood Group and Compatibility:

It is important to be self aware of your blood compatibility status is to avoid an ABO or RhD incompatibility reaction. The table below narrates blood groups and their compatibilities in relation to blood donors and recipients.

Blood Group O- (O Negative) is a Universal donor. It is eligible for blood donation to all blood types.

Do Allergic Reactions Occur After Blood Transfusions?

Allergic reactions and other reactions may occur of the recipient may occur if the recipient makes antibodies against minor antigens on the transfused red cells. Such reactions include fever, hives, itching, low blood pressure and similar symptoms. They are usually caused by certain chemicals in the donor's blood.

What Do I Do To Stay Healthy After Blood Donation?

Over the next 48 hours:

• Drink plenty of fluids to replenish the volume lost during donation.
• Avoid lifting heavy weights with the donation arm or participating in strenuous physical activities or sports after donation to prevent bruising of the venipuncture site and dizziness.

If you feel dizzy, unwell or have cold sweats:

• Take a seat or lie down immediately, preferably with your feet raised, until the feeling passes.
• Loosen any restrictive garments and keep breathing smoothly.
• Keep calm and take slow and long deep breaths.
• Seek assistance from any passer-by or people near you.
• If the condition does not improve or for any reason something doesn't feel right, visit an adequate medical facility and talk to the appropriate health service provider.

How To Care For The Venipuncture site:

• A Venipuncture is a site where a vein has been pierced by a needle for either intravenous injection or the removal of blood for transfusion.
• In uncommon situations where fresh bleeding occurs after the plaster is removed, put gentle pressure on the venipuncture site, raise your arm for 3–5 minutes and apply a bandage to the site. The bandage or the dressing can be removed after 5 hours.
• If you notice bruising around the venipuncture site, it is usually caused by bleeding into the tissue underneath the skin. It will usually resolve in a week's time. If you feel pain or discomfort, applying a cold compress to the area may help.
• If the venipuncture site becomes swollen or blue or you experience pain or numbness in the donation arm, please call (insert telephone number) for advice or consult a doctor.

What is the Safest Form of Blood Transfusion?

Banking your own blood. An individual may bank his or her own blood for a transfusion 3 - 5 weeks before an upcoming surgical procedure. This type of transfusion, although not risk free, is the safest form of transfusion because it eliminates the risk of blood - borne infections from other donors.