Plasma is a clear and straw-colored liquid of blood. Plasma donation is known as Apheresis as well. By donating your plasma you can save thousands of lives.
So, are you thinking to donate plasma? But not sure about the entire process? Has a lot of questions like how to donate plasma, requirements, etc? Then we are here to help you clear your mind. If you have come here, keep on reading to know more about plasma donation.
Table of Contents
Requirements to donate plasma
For every plasma donation, it is essential to fulfilling certain requirements. Though the necessary conditions lie at the discretion of the center where you are donating, some basic criteria need to be satisfied by any eligible donor. The general once a stated below in the list.
Age
The person donating the plasma must be at least 18 years of age, that is, the person must have attained the age of majority.
Weight
The plasma donor or the person who has decided to donate the plasma must weigh at least 50 kilograms. It is equivalent to 110 pounds.
Medical examination
The person should go through the required medical tests and pass all of them so as to be eligible to donate plasma. Extensive screening of his medical history should also be done so as to ensure that he or she had no past medical records.
Non-reactive to transmissible diseases
The person should be non-reactive to diseases like hepatitis and HIV which are basically transmissible.
Suffering from any chronic disease
If a person is suffering from any chronic disease of the heart, lungs, liver, kidney, or any such body part, it makes them unfit for plasma donation.
Prior requirements
There are certain prior requirements too that one needs to follow before donating plasma. The person should follow the diet recommended. He or she should be fully hydrated by consuming plenty of juice or water.
Surgery underwent
You should make sure that you notify your plasma donation center if you have undergone any recent surgery.
Tattoo or piercing issues
It is not suggested that you decide on donating your plasma if have had any tattoos or piercings within the span of the recent 12 months.
Health issues
If you are currently suffering from issues like cough, fever, or feeling unwell, then it is suggested that you do not opt for donating plasma. You must be symptom-free when donating. Also, if you’re consuming some sort of antibiotics for any kind of infection or allergies it is also not very suggestive.
COVID tests
Amid this COVID-19 pandemic, it is also essential that you also take the necessary COVID tests so as to ensure that the person receiving your donated plasma is also safe from any risk.
Pre-requirements
On the donation day, take proper rest, have healthy food for breakfast, and drink gallons of water or juice, but not tea, coffee, or alcohol. Try to avoid unhealthy, oily food.
It is, however, the best preferred that you consult your doctor before doing anything.
How long does it take to donate plasma?
Are you a first-time plasma donor? Are questions like how to donate plasma, how much time would it take to donate plasma, etc. roaming around in your mind? Then, the answer is simple. If it’s the first time that you donating your plasma, then it might take a little longer than the usual cases. For the first time visit, the approximate time taken for most the people is almost two hours.
However, when visiting again, it might take not more than around 90 minutes. The entire 90-minute process actually includes the screening, registration, and last but not least, the donation. The original process of donating your plasma takes almost about 25 minutes.
After you are done with the donation process, in most often cases the hospital’s staff give you some sort of juice, drinks, and snacks so as to prevent dizziness.
How often can you donate plasma?
Though donating plasma is a great social help that you do to people who needs it. But if you do it too often it is not very safe for your health. It can damage your health as well as the quality of the plasma. It can result in lowering the levels of protein, albumin, and other blood-making sources. Therefore, the most preferred period after which you can donate plasma without having to worry too much is 28 days. After every 28 days, you can donate your plasma as you want.
Certain private centers allow donors to indulge in the activity more often. However, it is not safe for the health of the person. They let the person donate the plasma and in return financially reward them.
Is it safe to donate plasma?
The plasma donation process is very safe. The International Quality Plasma Program certified centers make sure that the entire process is carried out in the cleanest and safest possible ways and that the plasma is of the greatest quality. The medical professionals are highly equipped and trained. The environment is always maintained to be clean and sterilized. The equipment used is for once usage only. They are not used for someone else. It is to prevent the possibility of transmission of infection.
The process is almost the same as that of blood donation. The entire blood is drawn out, using advanced medical professional technology, and the plasma is separated from it. This process of plasma collection in medical terms is called plasmapheresis. Once the plasma is extracted, all the other components are sent back to the body with a saline combination.
So, it doesn’t actually harm your body. You are helping the needy and it’s also safe.
How old do you have to be to donate plasma?
As already mentioned in the requirements section, the age at which you become eligible to donate plasma is averagely regarded be 18. 18 is the minimum age where you become eligible to donate your plasma. You can do it between the age range of approximately 18 to 65 years old.
Does it hurt to donate plasma?
You must have for at least once in your life donated blood. Then that would solve your question regarding if the process of how to donate plasma is painful or not.
In case you have never, the process should not hurt much. You will only feel the needle being inserted. The expert staff always tries to make sure that you are at utmost comfort while undergoing the donation process.
How much money can you get for donating plasma?
The money that you would get from the donation varies from place to place and also your weight. In most instances, it is observed that the more the weight of the person, the more would be the plasma and thus, the more will be the earning. So, to know about the money you will get, it is suggested that you contact your nearest center.
Conclusion
Now are your queries regarding how to donate plasma solved? We hope this article will help you by all means. Now that you know so much, it is hoped that you will also be able to help your friends with the information and not get deceived by people.
