Feeling unwell If you are feeling under the weather, please wait until you feel better before you give blood. It is important you do not have any infection at the time of donating. You must be healed and recovered from any infection for at least 14 days before you give blood.
It is advised that you are free of flu and cold symptoms, for at least 48 hours, before you donate blood. This is because donating with cold will lower your immune system, and will further push you towards lingering illness and slower healing times, and even pneumonia in some unfortunate cases.
Can I donate if I have a cold, flu or fever? No. To donate, you must be symptom-free from cold, flu or fever on the day of donation.
Wait if you have a fever or a productive cough (bringing up phlegm). Wait if you do not feel well on the day of donation. Wait until you have completed antibiotic treatment for sinus, throat or lung infection.
If you have a cold or the flu, you can donate blood, as normal, 7 days after you've recovered from your symptoms. If you recently had the flu vaccination and are feeling well, you can still donate blood.
Some individuals may have a cough, or reduced sense of smell or taste, for some weeks after resolution of their infection but this won't stop you donating if you are otherwise well.
In adults and older children, they usually last about 7 to 10 days, but can last longer. A cough in particular can last for two or three weeks. Colds tend to last longer in younger children who are under five, typically lasting around 10 to 14 days.
Wait if you have a fever or a productive cough (bringing up phlegm). Wait if you do not feel well on the day of donation. Wait until you have completed antibiotic treatment for sinus, throat or lung infection.
All donations are routinely tested for infectious diseases. If a blood donation tests positive for infection then it will not be given to patients, and the donor is given support and advice.
Yes. Menstruating doesn't affect your ability to donate. Enjoy your relaxing time on the donation couch and a tasty snack afterwards. As someone who menstruates, it's a good idea to check out our information about iron.
You must be in good health at the time you donate. You cannot donate if you have a cold, flu, sore throat, cold sore, stomach bug or any other infection. If you have recently had a tattoo or body piercing you cannot donate for 6 months from the date of the procedure.
Additional tips for the day of your donation:
Drink an extra 16 oz. of water (or other nonalcoholic drink) before your appointment. Eat a healthy meal, avoiding fatty foods like hamburgers, fries or ice cream. Wear a shirt with sleeves that you can roll up above your elbows.
Burning calories.
No, blood donation won't become a weight loss fad any time soon. However, researchers at the University of California, San Diego have found that you can lose up to 650 calories per pint of blood donated. That's not a bad deal for kicking back and doing a good deed.
Can I donate if I have a cold or the flu? You can donate once you have been symptom-free for 48 hours. Additional precautions are in place during the COVID-19 pandemic.
We encourage everyone to take the necessary precautions to ensure the safety of fellow citizens. If you are feeling unwell or exhibiting any clinical symptoms of infection (fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat and shortness of breath), you are encouraged to delay donation until you are in good health.
The stages of a cold include the incubation period, appearance of symptoms, remission, and recovery.
Bronchitis. Acute bronchitis temporarily prevents blood donation. Once you are free of symptoms and two weeks have passed since the end of possible antibiotic treatment, you can donate blood.
The body can detoxify itself naturally (e.g., with help from your liver), but giving blood may help your body's detoxing potential. For example, blood (and plasma) donations have been shown to have an effect on the levels of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs).
Menstrual blood is composed of three distinct body fluids: blood, vaginal fluid, and the cells and fluid of the late secretory phase of the uterine endometrial lining which is shed during menstruation.
Getting to sleep is sometimes more easily said than done, though, particularly if you're nervous about giving blood for the first time, and you might have less than a full night's sleep before your donation. The good news is that, as long as you feel well enough, you can still donate.
There are no such rules for smokers while donating blood. However, both smoking and vaping before the appointment will increase your blood pressure, and the clinic might turn you away in such cases. In addition, smoking after donating blood will lead to dizziness.