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BLOOD DONOR EDUCATION MATERIALS
DONOR ELIGIBILITY – SPECIFIC INFORMATION
We know that you would not donate unless you think your blood is safe. However, in order for us to assess all risks that may affect you or a
patient receiving a transfusion, it is essential that you answer each question completely and accurately. If you don’t understand a question,
ask the blood center staff. All information you provide is confidential.
To determine if you are eligible to donate, we will:
Ask about your health and travel
Ask about medicines you are taking or have taken
Ask about your risk for infections that can be transmitted by blood – especially AIDS and viral hepatitis
Take your blood pressure, temperature and pulse
Take a blood sample to be sure your blood count is acceptable
Travel to or birth in other countries
Blood donor tests may not be available for some infections that are found only in certain countries. If you were born in, have
lived in, or visited certain countries, you may not be eligible to donate.
If you are eligible to donate, we will:
Clean your arm with an antiseptic. Tell us if you have any skin allergies
Use a new, sterile, disposable needle to collect your blood
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER YOUR DONATI
To protect patients, your blood is tested for several types of hepatitis, HIV, syphilis, and other infections. If your blood tests positive it will not
be given to a patient. There are times when your blood is not tested. If this occurs, you may not receive any notification. You will be notified
about any positive test result which may disqualify you from donating in the future. The blood center will not release your test results without
your written permission unless required by law (e.g. to the Health Department).
Certain diseases, such as AIDS and hepatitis, can be spread through sexual contact and enter your bloodstream. We will ask
specific questions about sexual contact.
What do we mean by “sexual contact?”
The words “have sexual contact with” and “sex” are used in some of the questions we will ask you, and apply to any of the
activities below, whether or not a condom or other protection was used:
Vaginal sex (contact between penis and vagina)
Oral sex (mouth or tongue on someone’s vagina, penis, or anus)
Anal sex (contact between penis and anus)
HIV/AIDS risk behaviors
HIV is the virus that causes AIDS. It is spread mainly by sexual contact with an infected person OR by sharing needles or
syringes used by an infected person for injecting drugs.
Do not donate if you:
Have ever had HIV/AIDS or have ever had a positive test for the HIV/AIDS virus
Have used needles to take any drugs not prescribed by your doctor IN THE PAST 3 MONTHS
Have taken money, drugs or other payment for sex IN THE PAST 3 MONTHS
Have had sexual contact IN THE PAST 3 MONTHS with anyone who has ever had HIV/AIDS or has ever had a positive
test for the HIV/AIDS virus, ever taken money, drugs or other payment for sex, or ever used needles to take any drugs
not prescribed by their doctor
Are a male who has had sexual contact with another male, IN THE PAST 3 MONTHS
Are a female who has had sexual contact IN THE PAST 3 MONTHS with a male who has had sexual contact with
another male IN THE PAST 3 MONTHS
Have had syphilis or gonorrhea IN THE PAST 3 MONTHS
Have been in juvenile detention, lockup, jail or prison for 72 or more consecutive hours IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS
Have a history of Ebola virus infection or disease
Do not donate to get a test! If you think you may be at risk for HIV/AIDS or any other infection, do not donate simply to get a
test. Ask us where you can be tested outside the blood center.
Do not donate if you have these symptoms which can be present before an HIV test turns positive:
Fever
Enlarged lymph glands
Sore throat
Rash
Your blood can transmit infections, including HIV/AIDS, even if you feel well and all your tests are normal. This is because even
the best tests cannot detect the virus for a period of time after you are infected.
IMPORTANT NEW INFORMATION DO NOT DONATE if you:
Are taking any medication to prevent HIV infection these medications may be known by you under the following
names: PrEP, PEP, TRUVADA, or DESCOVY.
Have taken such a medication in the past 3 months.
Have EVER taken any medication to treat HIV infection.
DO NOT donate if your donation might harm the patient who receives the transfusion.
THANK YOU FOR DONATING BLOOD TODAY!
-Over-
SYLVAN N. GOLDMAN OKLAHOMA BLOOD INSTITUTE / Rev: 16 / Dept: OBI-BBD-DS-eff / Effective Date: 12 Apr 2021 / DOC:OBI-DS-Form-419