Plasma Donation Requirements

Blood cells remain suspended in the yellowish liquid component of blood, known as blood plasma. Blood plasma constitutes about 55 % of the total blood volume. It contains about 90% water. The remaining 10 % is made up of dissolved proteins, glucose, clotting factors, mineral ions, hormones and carbon dioxide. Blood serum is nothing but blood plasma without fibrinogen or the other clotting factors. Plasmapheresis is the medical procedure which involves blood plasma extraction, treatment and reintegration. Plasma donation requirements may vary from country to country. Donating plasma is considered as a good source of additional income.

Who Can Donate Blood Plasma

You need to donate plasma at licensed and certified blood plasma donation centers. One of the most important fact about plasma donation is: 'on average, a plasma donor offers 0.8 liter of plasma per visit and about 130 plasma donations are required to keep one patient with primary immunodeficiency, healthy for one year'. This explains why blood donation is considered as an important and noble task. Some of the donation rules are controversial, for instance, restricting donations from men who have sex with men, for HIV risk. The general requirements for plasma donation are:

• You should be at least 18 years of age and weigh at least 110 pounds or 50 kg.
• You can donate blood plasma for money twice a week. You are asked to wait at least 72 hours between visits.
• In case of allergies or cold like symptoms, you may be disqualified to donate plasma.
• In case of blood transfusion, you may be eligible for plasma donation 12 months after the receipt of the blood products.
• Use of antibiotics may be allowed depending on the reason for which you are taking those antibiotics.
• Women can donate plasma during menstruation but not while pregnant. They can donate plasma if they are taking birth control medications.
• In case of severe case of acne on the day of donation (extensive inflammation and pus-filled skin lesions) you may be disqualified.
• A photo, a signature, date of birth and social security number for identification will be required. Proof of your permanent local address will also be required.
• If physical and mental effects of chronic alcohol usage are detected, you will not be allowed to donate plasma. Drinking alcohol on the day of donation is also not allowed.
• Your eligibility will also depend upon the reason and type of immunization/vaccination recently received and the presence of any symptoms prior to the plasma donation.
• If you have donated platelets for another donation program, you will not be allowed to donate plasma at the same time. You can participate in only one program (e.g. plasma or platelets) at one time.
• If you have arthritis, you are supposed to submit a confirmation letter written by your physician about the type and severity of your condition and your treatment. His/her approval for you to donate plasma may be required.
• Taking medications does not make you unfit for donating plasma. Your eligibility mostly depends on the type and severity of the medical condition(s) for which you are being treated. Some plasma collection centers may disqualify you even if you carry a family history of cancer.
• A recent piercing may disqualify you for donating plasma, depending on the type of procedure used for piercing and whether or not the piercing shows any sign of infection. Similarly, a recent tattoo may disqualify you for donating plasma for a period of 4-12 months depending upon the state in which the tattoo was applied.
• You have to go through a brief medical examination, extensive medical history screening and tests for transmissible viruses. Blood pressure, pulse, temperature, protein level, hemoglobin count will be checked. Questions regarding possible exposure to certain infectious diseases, such as HIV/AIDS and hepatitis will be asked.
• Requirements for donating plasma may vary according to the diseases and severity. For instance, the type and severity of asthma, diabetes, epilepsy, seizures, convulsions, flu, sore throat, high cholesterol, high/low blood pressure, autoimmune diseases, heart diseases, kidney diseases, etc. will be taken into consideration.

The list does not end here. Various other factors are also taken into consideration while determining the eligibility of the person who is ready to donate blood plasma, for example, organ transplant, tissue transplant, xenotransplant material (animal to human), visit to another countries, recent surgeries, dental procedures, etc.

You need not be afraid of plasma donation risks as they are negligible. But, donating plasma frequently may lead to serious health complications. Following a healthy diet and drinking plenty of water can help avoid the side effects of the donation. Common side effects of plasma donation include dizziness, fainting, nausea, etc. Plasma donation requirements are for the safety of the donor and recipient. The donated plasma is used to treat burn victims and those with hemophilia. It is also used for researches to find new cures and treatments for a variety of medical conditions. You should feel proud of yourself after donating blood plasma, as it is a way of helping people all over the world.