BLOOD DONATION
The human organism has the ability to restore in a few hours the blood volume that has been removed during the donation, being necessary to take some measures to guarantee your well-being and safety and to accelerate the recovery process.
BLOOD COLLECTION
The blood given by donors is in the form of whole blood and 450 ml of blood will be taken from you. After collection, blood is tested and separated into its main components: Erythrocyte concentrate (the red part), Plasma (the yellow part) and platelets (the coagulation cells). Each component has different therapeutic functions and can be applied in a wide variety of pathologies.
The entire blood donation process takes about 30 to 40 minutes. There is no possibility of contracting diseases through blood donation, as all the material used is sterilized and disposable.
WHO CAN GIVE BLOOD?
- People with healthy lifestyle habits from 18 to 65 years old (up to 60 years old if it is the first gift);
- Minimum weight of 50 kg;
- No history of transfusions after 1980;
- People who have not had tattoos and / or piercings in less than 4 months;
- People who have not had endoscopic examinations in less than 4 months;
Men can give blood every 3 months and women every 4 months. Other situations that do not allow blood donation are assessed as appropriate.
Taking into account the protection of the donor and the recipient/patient, the donor must answer truthfully, consciously and responsibly all the questions put to him. These are evaluated by a qualified health professional who determines your eligibility for blood donation, through a clinical evaluation and physical examination (measurement of blood pressure and determination of the hemoglobin value).
CARE AFTER BLOOD DONATION:
- Increase the consumption of liquids in the next 4 hours;
- Avoid prolonged sun exposure;
- Do not consume alcoholic beverages on the donation day and eat only light meals;
- Do not smoke for the next 30 minutes;
- Maintain a high fluid intake in the following 3 days for the complete normalization of blood volume;
- In the 12 hours after the donation, do not do intense physical exercise or perform activities that may endanger your life or others;
- Do not stay in poorly ventilated or very hot places.
Hospitals are struggling with a lack of blood, which can make it difficult to provide health care to patients who need it. Hospitals and their patients are totally dependent on donor availability and solidarity.
Check the blood collection sites at www.dador.pt
