Is Donating Plasma Healthy
Research shows that plasma donation is safe, and the National Institutes of Health emphasize that there is no risk of getting the wrong blood back. Also, the FDA and other health authorities regulate the equipment and procedure of plasma donation.
What diseases are treated with plasma?
Who Needs Plasma Therapies?
- Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy
Main Differences Between Plasma Donation And Blood Donation
A Happier Longer Life
One blood donation can save up to three lives, according to Dr. DeSimone. People usually donate because it feels good to help others, and altruism and volunteering have been linked to positive health outcomes, including a lower risk for depression and greater longevity.
Giving blood is a way to engage in the immediate community and help people around you, Dr. Vossoughi adds. People who do these types of things and engage in their community in this way tend to have better health and longer lives.
It is also a way to feel that you have positively helped during the COVID-19 crisis. Donating blood is safe if you have had the COVID-19 vaccine. It is also safe if you have had COVID-19, though you must be symptom-free for two weeks and have not had a positive diagnostic test for COVID-19 in the last 14 days, Dr. DeSimone says. If you have any COVID-19 symptoms like a fever or cough, do not give blood. Donating blood is safe as donors are socially-distanced and required to wear a face mask covering their nose and mouth, regardless of vaccination status.
Creating moments of kindness during a time of need does wonders for your mental health and feeling of well-being, Dr. DeSimone says.
You May Like: When Is Blood Sugar Lowest
I Lived In The Uk For Six Months Between 1980
Yes, you can! There used to be a rule preventing people who lived in the UK between 1980 and 1996 from giving blood in Australia, but it was changed on 25 July 2022.
The rule was related to the fatal variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease . Read more about the UK donation rule change.
You can donate blood at various Australian Red Cross Lifeblood locations .
Donating blood only takes around 10 minutes, but you should allow at least an hour for the whole process .
Difference Between Donating Blood And Plasma

Blood is an essential fluid for life in animals. Blood fights infections, heals wounds, and carries nutrients throughout our bodies. It is a self-generating component in our bodies but sometimes we need help getting it. Accidents happen 24/7 and create massive blood loss. Blood is also needed is also needed for blood transfusions during surgery or for premature babies. Donation of blood is an important because the demand for blood is never-ending. In your lifetime you or someone that you know will need blood or plasma for any array of reasons. Hospitals rely on volunteers to supplement and replenish their whole blood and plasma supplies.
Recommended Reading: Low Blood Pressure Fast Heart Rate
Where Is Blood Donated
There are many places where blood donations can be made. Bloodmobiles travel to many locations, making it easy for people to donate blood. Many people donate at blood drives at their places of work or at high schools, colleges, churches and other community organizations. People also can donate at community blood centers and hospital-based donor centers. You may use the online Locator to locate a nearby blood center or hospital to donate.
What To Expect During Plasma Donation
To donate plasma, you have to be at least 18 years old and weigh at least 110 pounds. Youââ¬â¢ll need to get a physical examination and get tested for certain viruses like HIV and hepatitis.
Donating plasma is a little different from donating whole blood. When you donate whole blood, it goes straight into a collection bag and is later separated in a lab. When you donate plasma, the blood thatââ¬â¢s drawn from your arm goes through a special machine to separate the different parts of your blood.
The parts that are left over, including your red blood cells, go back in your body, along with some saline solution. The process usually takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Show Sources
Don’t Miss: What Is The Order Of Blood Flow
Types Of Blood Donations
There are certain restrictions on blood donation based on the type of blood donation, purpose, donors age, general health, and blood group. A person is allowed to donate if he qualifies all the criteria. Let us first understand the types of blood donations.
- Whole Blood Donation: It is the most common and flexible type of blood donation. It can be easily transfused in its original form or can be separated into components like red cells, platelets, and plasma.
- Power Red Donation: In this type of donation, red blood cells are separated from the donors blood, and the remaining components are then safely returned to the donor. It is useful for trauma patients, newborns, and patients suffering from sickle cell anemia. So you are curious to know difference Between Plasma And Blood Donation In that case, there are certain things that you must not overlook.
- Platelets Donation: Platelets are little cells in the blood that helps in blood clotting. It is separated from blood using the apheresis machine. It is useful in treating dengue, cancer and in organ transplant procedures.
- Plasma Donation: It is similar to platelet donation just that platelets and RBCs collected are returned to the donor. It is needed in emergency and trauma situations.
Difference between blood and plasma donation
Plasma Collection In Canada
In Canada, both Canadian Blood Services and Héma-Québec:
- collect plasma for manufacturing into plasma products
- purchase US plasma products and
- distribute plasma products to Canadian hospitals.
Under strict regulations of the Food and Drugs Act, private companies can also collect plasma for the production of essential plasma products.
You May Like: Is 160 Blood Sugar High After Eating
Blood Donation Vs Plasma Donation: An In
Blood donation and plasma donation are both great ways to give back to those in need via bodily components that replenish themselves. Millions of Canadians take the time to give blood and/or plasma every year, but there is still a lot of confusion surrounding the difference between these two types of donations, and understandably so. Even though the process of giving blood and giving plasma are quite similar at first glance, they are vastly different in many other regards. In todays blog, well be giving you an in-depth look into all things blood donation VS plasma donation.
Giving Back To Society
Given the situation of those on the other side of the spectrum, its crucial to help them out and give a hand when you can. Although youre not obligated to help the unfortunate, much like the government officials are, wouldnt it be nice to do something selfless?
The feeling of giving back and contributing to society is incomparable! If you can do so, you may want to consider volunteering to offer support to those around you. More than the feeling of fulfillment, youll also get to have the opportunity to learn more about your community and meet new people.
Of course, giving back to society will consume some of your precious time and take a bit of effort, but it will all be worth it in the end!
Recommended Reading: A1c 5.7 Average Blood Sugar
Plasma Donation Vs Blood Donation
The main difference between Plasma Donation And Blood Donation is that Plasma is a component of blood that is donated while blood is a necessary body liquid that flows in the arteries and veins of our body. Our body is made up of cells. Blood is a necessary fluid that delivers substances such as nutrients and oxygen to the cell.
Plasma is a part of Blood. Blood is composed of two main contents: one is solid content called cells and another is a liquid called Plasma. Plasma is 55% of the blood fluid.
It contains 92% of water in volume. Plasma is detached from the cells for donation.
After detaching, it becomes a yellow-colored liquid.
Blood circulates our body through blood vessels and keeps the heart pumping. Whenever a person has a cut the blood flows out.
What Is Plasma Donation

During a plasma-only donation, plasma, the yellowish liquid component of blood, is separated from blood cells and blood cells are returned to the bloodstream. This is done through a process known as plasmapheresis, which involves donors being intravenously connected to a medical device known as an apheresis machine. The plasmapheresis portion of the plasma donation process takes approximately 50 minutes to complete.
Read Also: Can You Take Diet Pills With High Blood Pressure
Types Of Blood Donation
The main types of blood donation include:
- Blood a standard donation, consisting of plasma, red and white blood cells, platelets, antibodies and other components.
- Plasma plasma is separated from the other components by a special machine, and the red blood cells are returned to the donor in cycles throughout the donation.
- Platelets done in a similar way to plasma donation, but the red cells and plasma are returned to the donor.
Less common donations include:
- Autologous prior to a scheduled operation or transfusion, a person donates blood for their own use.
- Directed or designated donation a donor can give blood that will be used for a specific person.
Autologous and directed donations are now rare, occurring only in special medical cases. These blood donations have the same risks as regular blood donations.
What Is Blood Donation
Whole blood donations are considered to be the most flexible type of donation. Since whole blood contains red cells, white cells, platelets, and plasma, it can either be separated into its specific components post-donation or transfused in its original form. Donation times for whole blood donations average around eight to 10 minutes.
Also Check: Average Blood Loss During Period
Who Can Donate Blood
Healthy adults who meet donation eligibility criteria can donate blood. The procedure is safe and relatively painless.
During a regular donation, you will give around 470ml of whole blood. This is about 8% of the average adults blood volume.
The body replaces this volume within 24 to 48 hours, and replenishes red blood cells in 10 to 12 weeks.
How Bad Does It Hurt To Donate Plasma
The key point to remember is you will not be in pain or discomfort for the full donation process. While the finger prick and needle insertion can be unpleasant, its just a few seconds. Not really that bad considering the money you can make for donating plasma.
What to expect when you donate plasma?
What to expect. Donating plasma takes longer than blood donation, which usually lasts 10 to 20 minutes. A plasma donation can take 1 to 2 hours, and people should allow longer for registration and paperwork if it is their first visit.
You May Like: Uti With Blood In Urine
Whats The Difference Between Donating Blood Plasma And Platelets
Every year, blood transfusions save about 4.5 million lives. The kind of blood transfusion a patient gets can determine whether they live or die.
People who give blood may wonder, Is it better to donate blood or plasma? Others may question, Should I donate blood or platelets?
Knowing the different types of blood and blood donations is important because it can help you decide how you can do the most good when giving blood.
How Is My Blood Type Determined
Its inherited. Like eye color, blood type is passed genetically from your parents. Whether your blood group is type A, B, AB or O is based on the blood types of your mother and father.
View all child parent pairings
* Note: If you have questions about paternity testing or about blood group inheritance, your primary care physician should be able to provide you with an appropriate referral. Testing difficulties can cause exceptions to the above patterns. ABO blood typing is not sufficient to prove or disprove paternity or maternity.
Ready to Help Save a Life?
Now that you know how your blood type can help recipients, please schedule an appointment to donate today.
Read Also: High Blood Pressure Upon Waking
The Differences Between Blood Platelet And Plasma Donation
Blood transfusions save over four million lives each year, and the type of transfusion provided to a patient can affect whether or not they live.
Its vital to learn the different types of blood and blood donations since it will help you decide how you can benefit the most people when you donate blood. Before you go to the nearest plasma donation center, make sure to learn the difference between donating blood, plasma, and platelets first.
What Are The Rules For Donating Plasma

Plasma donors should be at least 18 years old
How often can you donate plasma?
You can donate whole blood as often as every 84 days at the Mayo Clinic Blood Donor Center in Rochester. Plasma donors may donate as often as every 28 days. Platelet donors may donate as frequently as every eight days, and up to 24 times in a 12-month period.
Recommended Reading: What Is The Latest Episode Of Blue Bloods
Readers Who Read This Also Read:
AB blood type can donate plasma to all other blood types. | O- blood type can donate blood to all other blood types. | |
Recovery | Since blood cells are returned to the donors body, it doesnt need much time to recover. | It needs some time to recover as whole blood is drawn from the body. |
Quantity | 800 milliliter of plasma can be donated by a single person one time. | 200 to 550 milliliter of blood can be drawn from a single person at one time. |
Difference Between Plasma Donation And Blood Donation
Categorized under Health | Difference Between Plasma Donation and Blood Donation
Plasma Donation vs Blood Donation
Blood, as we all know, is very vital to our body. It functions by transporting nutrients, water, and oxygen that is circulating in the body. It also maintains the fluid volume and the overall homeostasis of the body. Once the blood is being affected, obviously, in just a blink of an eye, a person can die instantly. Take, for example, the disease dengue caused by the mosquito. If the platelets in the blood were not able to be replaced immediately, that patient will have internal bleeding. So a blood donation is needed as soon as possible.
Blood donation is a term we are familiar with. But what about plasma donation? Let us examine closely these words.
Blood has different components. It is composed of RBC, or red blood cells, WBC, or white blood cells, platelets, and lastly plasma. Plasma is the component of blood that is fluid in nature. This sub-component of blood carries nutrients and clotting factors.
When a person is donating for a blood donation, all of the whole blood components are being taken from that person. It depends on the donor whether he or she wants to separate the blood components according to the need of the person he or she is helping. It can be red blood cells alone, white blood cells, platelets, or plasma. Its up to the medical technologist to separate this whole blood component.
Summary:
You May Like: How To Lower Red Blood Cell Count
The Blood Donation Process Vs The Plasma Donation Process
Whole blood donations involve cleansing an area on the donors arm, inserting a sterile needle, and drawing blood. Typically blood donation entails the collection of a pint of blood, which takes about 8-10 minutes to collect. Once donation is complete, a bandage is placed on the donors arm and they are given time to recuperate.
The plasma donation process and whole blood donation process are similar in that they both involve the cleansing of a donors arm and the insertion of a sterile needle however, plasma is collected through a process known as plasmapheresis. Plasmapheresis is a method of removing and separating plasma from whole blood via an apheresis machine. This automated process takes about 50 minutes to complete.
Blood Donation Requirements For Medical Research
Donor requirements for medical research may be slightly different from those for Lifeblood donors. For example, people who usually dont qualify as Lifeblood donors can qualify as donors for medical research.
To qualify to become a blood donor for medical research:
- Be aged 18 to 60.
- Not taking anti-clotting or anti-inflammatory medications .
- Tel. to make an appointment. Appointments are available Monday to Friday between 8:30 and 10am.
Don’t Miss: Low Blood Sugar Level Chart
What Happens At My First Medical Research Appointment
At your first appointment you will receive an information form that outlines the purpose of the research, and a consent form to sign.
The blood collection procedure takes about 15 minutes, is safe, and is performed by a fully trained scientist, nurse or doctor. The amount of blood taken depends on the needs of the research project, but will range from 40 to 400ml. Your body will need only a couple of days to replace 400ml of blood.
You will be paid a small amount at each visit to help cover transportation or other costs.
Most people can donate regularly. If you indicate that you would be willing to give future blood donations, your name and contact details will be kept on a database for blood donation requests once every 3 months .
If you wish, you can receive information on the results of the research project.
If you have a complaint about any aspect of the research, contact the Standing Committee on Ethics in Research on Humans via the Ethics and Compliance Team.