Donating blood is donating life –

Why donate blood? It is undoubtedly a question that many people ask themselves and their answer could be to help a family member or friend who has health problems, however, since blood is a living tissue that is not replaceable, it becomes essential to save lives and donating becomes an essential action.

In our country, the demand for this component is great, “it is estimated that an average of 1,000 transfusions are performed daily, and that makes the call of health institutions throughout the nation and blood banks be that each More and more people are becoming aware of the importance of donating”, says the bacteriologist at our Clinic Sandra Quintero Núñez, who adds that to this is added the life of this component, since red blood cells can be stored for up to 42 days, platelets only 5 days and the plasma has a duration of one year.

And then, what is required to donate? As our bacteriologist mentions, to donate several factors are taken into account, but among the main ones is the age of the person, their medical history and healthy lifestyle habits, among others.

Requirements

  • Be between 18 and 65 years old.
  • Have a good health condition.
  • Weigh at least 50 kilos.
  • Healthy lifestyle habits and a stable partner for at least the last 6 months.
  • Have at least 6 months after the last tattoo or piercing performed.
  • Not be pregnant.
  • It must have been at least a year after delivery.
  • Women can donate every 4 months and men every 3 months.
  • If you have visited malaria endemic areas you must wait at least 3 months to donate.
See also  Breast milk, types and benefits -

What type of blood is the most requested?

All blood types are necessary, but the blood group to which one belongs has a greater influence, “in the case of the country, blood type O represents around 50% of the population, group A covers 28% and B and AB is the remaining percentage”, informs our Bacteriologist.

What care to have after donating?

  • Drink plenty of fluids for 24 hours after donating.
  • Avoid efforts with the arm used in the donation, thus preventing the appearance of bruises.
  • Do not make sudden changes in position as you could experience a feeling of dizziness.
  • Avoid consuming alcoholic beverages for 24 hours after donating.
  • You can exercise 24 hours after the donation.
  • You may experience mild dizziness and a feeling of tiredness, normal symptoms after the donation process. You shouldn’t be alarmed.
  • If after 24 hours after the donation you experience a severe headache, frequent dizziness, vomiting or bruising at the site where the puncture was made, you should see a doctor.

At the Grupo Quirónsalud Clinic we have a Clinical Laboratory where anatomical pathology laboratory services and transfusion services are provided, with modern diagnostic support of level IV complexity.

It may interest you