AAMC Blood Donor Center

Donation Frequency
Whole blood donors every 56 days or 8 weeks

Immunizations
Polio, mumps, rubeola (measles), smallpox – 2 weeks
Rubella (a type of measles) – 4 weeks
Tetanus, diphtheria, flu, Hepatitis B – can donate if no reaction present

Other possible Restrictions
Body/ear piercing – 1 year deferral unless piercing was performed with a sterile, single use, disposable, skin piercing needle, a piercing gun or a physician or nurse using a disposable needle and septic technique.
Dental work – cleaning, fillings, extractions, root canal, OK if no infection
Hepatitis exposure – 1 year
Tattoo – 1 year

Travel Restrictions
Malaria Area – YES IF 1 yr. after travel to a malaria area, or 3yrs. if you have emigrated from a malaria area.
England – cannot donate if spent time that adds up to 3 mo. or more in the U.K. from 1980-1996 (England, N. Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Isle of Man, Channel Islands, Gibraltar, Falkland Islands)
Europe – cannot donate if spent time that adds up to 5 yr. or more in European countries since 1980 (including time in the U.K. during 1980-1996)
Military - cannot donate if spent 6 mo. or more in military bases in northern Europe 1980-1990 or Southern Europe 1980-1996

Medications
Acetaminophen (e.g. Tylenol) – ok
Acutane – can donate 4 weeks after last dose
Allergy medication – can donate
Antibiotics – 7 days after infection: some are okay for acne
Anti-inflammatory drugs, such as Advil, Ibuprofen, Motrin and Naprosyn – ok
Aspirin – ok
Birth control pills – ok
Depression medication – ok
Diabetic medication
• Oral or insulin is okay if condition is stable
• Injected bovine (beef) insulin since 1980 – cannot donate
Diet pills – ok, NOT Phentermine (1 mo. after last dose)
Female hormone pills – ok
Propecia – can donate 4 weeks after last dose
Proscar – can donate 4 weeks after last dose
Soriatane (Acitretin) – can donate 3 years after last dose
Tegison – cannot donate if ever taken
Thyroid medication – can donate if stabilized

Medical Conditions
Allergies – can donate if no infection present
Asthma – can donate if no symptoms
Blood disorders or bleeding tendencies – NO
Brain or spinal surgery that required a transplant of brain covering (dura mater) – NO
CJD: donor or donor’s blood relative diagnosed with Creutzfeldt - Jakob disease (CJD) or an increased family risk of CJD – NO
Cancer
• Basal cell, squamous cell skin cancers and keratosis – YES if removed and healed
• Melanoma, other – Breast, prostate, etc., must be cancer free for 5 years, then subject to Pathologist approval
Colds, fever, flu, sore throat, cough, respiratory infection, headache – NO
Cold sore, fever blister, canker sore – YES
Diabetes – YES if stable, not taking insulin from cows
Heart Attack – if greater than one year, no symptoms, no medication for the heart (Aspirin is okay), Pathologist approval
Heart Surgery – Coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) or angioplasty – 1 year after surgery, no symptoms and on no medication for the heart (Aspirin is okay)
Hemochromatosis – OK, must present Dr’s orders
Hepatitis
• Hepatitis or undiagnosed jaundice after age 10 – NO
• Positive hepatitis test – NO
• Non-viral - OK
Herpes (genital) – can donate after lesions clear
Major/minor surgery – can donate after healed and released from MD care.
Pregnancy – 6 weeks after delivery
Stroke – 6 mo. after if no physical restrictions or medications
Venereal disease
• Genital herpes – until all lesions are clear
• Chlamydia, genital warts – can donate
• Gonorrhea, syphilis and other venereal diseases – 1 year
Do not donate blood if you have ever tested positive for HIV or if:
• You have ever injected yourself with drugs not prescribed by a physician
• You are a man and have had sex with another man since 1977, even once
• You have hemophilia or blood clotting disorder and received clotting factor concentrates
• You have had sex for drugs or money since 1977
Please, DO NOT DONATE TO GET AN HIV TEST!