Fear of needles and pain is one of the commonest reasons why people do not donate blood. A local anaesthetic medication is given prior to poking, which significantly reduces the pain, which is minimal and short-lasting. The entire process of blood donation, including the check-up, takes an hour with blood donation taking about 15 minutes only.

Blood donation is a controlled process with extensive use of disposable needles, bags and sterile procedures; therefore, one cannot contract an infection while donating. This is especially true in context of the ongoing pandemic, where one can safely donate blood while following necessary safety protocols.

Not all medications that you take, bar you from donating blood. One should consult with their doctor to check if they are eligible for donation. Here is a list of a few medications to keep in mind before you donate blood, which are timely updated.

Healthy eligible donors are not at any risk due to blood donation. The body normally replaces the donated blood cells with new cells within 6-8 weeks. Regular work can be resumed following donation but experts advise avoiding heavy work. There is no evidence that suggests frequent blood donation could lead to infertility or impotence.

Blood can be donated if tattoos and piercings are done in safe and licensed parlours. If not, then blood can be donated after a wait of three months, as advised by the American Red Cross society.

As long as your disease (diabetes or hypertension) is under control with no complications and no recent change in medication, you can donate blood. People on insulin and with organ dysfunction should permanently defer blood donation. The attending doctor or nurse should be alerted if symptoms such as dizziness or light-headedness develop during the donation.

There will never be enough donors. To meet the ever-expanding need for donors, hospitals rely heavily on replacement donations. The shortage has led to professional donors, which although illegal is a common approach to get blood products in most parts of the country, posing additional risks of infections to patients.

Blood can be donated every three months by males and everyfour months by females. That means, three to four donations a year if you are healthy.

Lifestyle choices like alcohol consumption, smoking, and being vegetarian do not bar you from donating blood. However, donors are advised not to consume alcohol a day before and after donation as it can lead to dehydration. The donor should always inform the doctor if they use any recreational drugs.

People with benign thyroid disorder with normal blood thyroid hormone levels can donate blood. Defer blood donation if under evaluation for a thyroid disorder or if thyroid hormone levels are abnormal.