Inquiries and Responses - World Blood Donor Day: Explanation of the Growing Shortage of Blood and the Link to the European Championship
### Contents:* Eligibility for Blood Donation* Frequency of Donation* Blood Donation Needs* Age Demographic of Donors* Temporary Exclusions* Sexual Behavior Effects* Permanent Exclusions
Blood donations are critical in Germany every day, with around 15,000 required for surgeries, medical treatments, and emergencies. World Blood Donor Day is approaching, making it an opportune moment to consider donating blood.
Eligibility for Blood Donation:
Anyone over 18 years can donate blood if they weigh at least 50 kilograms. Age restrictions used to exist, but they have been removed. Health status is the primary consideration, and before every donation, blood is checked for diseases such as Hepatitis A, B, C, and E, as well as HIV, Syphilis, and Measles viruses.
Frequency of Donation:
Women can donate blood four times a year, and men can do so six times. There must be eight weeks between each donation, but the body needs two months to recover from the iron deficit. Blood donations are 500 milliliters, aiding three people medically, and blood products can only last for up to 42 days.
Blood Donation Needs:
Around three percent of the population donates blood regularly, not enough to maintain the supply of blood products for the long-term. The frequency of donations often decreases during holidays, the UEFA European Football Championship, the Olympic Games, and summer vacations.
Age Demographic of Donors:
Baby boomers contribute the majority of blood donations, but their number and health are at risk. The aging baby boomers are leading experts to worry about a decrease in donors and a rise in transfusion recipients.
Temporary Exclusions:
Pregnant women should not donate for a while, while those who had a recent major surgery or medicine use must wait before donating. A Coronavirus infection is also a temporary reason for exclusion.
Sexual Behavior Effects:
Presently, men who had sex with other men in the past year are required to observe a 12-month waiting period before donating in Germany, due to the increased HIV infection risk. This regulation could change soon. Women experience no such restrictions.
However, all people experience a four-month waiting period before donating if their recent sexual behavior carries an increased risk of transmitting potentially harmful diseases via blood, including having intercourse with multiple individuals, a new partner, or practicing anal sex. Additionally, any sexual behavior with infected HIV, Hepatitis B or C, or prostitution users are included in this category.
Permanent Exclusions:
Certain pre-existing conditions lead to permanent exclusion from blood donation, like insulin-dependent diabetes, hepatitis, or severe chronic inflammatory diseases. Blood clotting disorders and malaria also fall into this category. Individuals interested in donating can reach out to the blood donation service for more specific details on their eligibility. According to German Red Cross (DRK), only about three percent of the population donates blood regularly. That's not enough to ensure a long-term supply of blood products. The World Blood Donor Day is around the corner, reminding us to consider donating blood again.
Eligibility for Blood Donation:
Adults over 18, weighing at least 50 kg, can donate blood. Although there used to be age restrictions, they've been removed. The key criterion is the health status, which gets assessed before each donation. Healthy blood is tested for Hepatitis A, B, C, and E, HIV, Syphilis, and Measles viruses, to prevent transmitting disease-carrying agents.
Donation Frequency:
Women can give blood four times a year, while men can donate six times. Between each donation, there must be a gap of at least eight weeks. While blood cell renewal takes two weeks, an iron deficit needs two months to recover—longer for women.
A single donation of 500 milliliters of blood can help up to three individuals in need. Moreover, blood products only have a shelf life of 42 days, with some concentrates lasting for just a few days.
Donation Needs:
Not having enough blood donors could impact the long-term supply of blood products. Regular donations often decline during festivities like holidays, UEFA European Football Championship, Olympic Games, and summer vacations.
Age Demographic of Donors:
Aging baby boomers make up the majority of blood donations, but their numbers are declining. The changing demographics cause experts concern as many donors cannot donate due to health reasons, and some former donors have become blood transfusion recipients due to the increasing risk of needing a transfusion with age.
Temporary Exclusion Criteria:
Pregnancy and childbirth lead to a temporary prohibition for women from donating blood. After certain vaccinations and foreign travel to malaria-prone areas or counties with hepatitis risk, there's a specific time limit. Individuals who have had significant surgeries or taken specific medications also cannot donate.
