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| January 19 | |
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Giving Blood |
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If you’re thinking of giving blood, you may want to know what to expect. The best thing to do if you’re thinking of giving blood is ask someone who has donated about their experience. They’ll probably tell you it’s relatively easy, painless, and you’ll feel better knowing you’ve helped someone in an important time of need. The first step in giving blood is the screening process. You’ll be asked about your health history and any activities that might put you at an increased risk of transmitting any diseases through the blood. Screening blood donors also helps ensure that there will be no bad effects from giving blood. Your temperature, weight, height, and blood pressure will be taken. Generally, people under 110 pounds will not be accepted for donation. Your blood count will be measured by pricking your finger for a drop of blood. If your blood count is too low, you won’t be able to donate blood. Once you’ve completed your donation, you’ll be asked to rest for several minutes. You’ll be offered juice and cookies to boost your energy. You should drink plenty of fluids in the next 24 hours, to replace the volume of body fluid you’ve just donated. You’ll also be more comfortable if you eat foods with protein or complex carbohydrates before and after giving blood and avoid fatty foods just before donating. You’ll also want to replace iron lost through the red blood cells by eating iron-rich foods like red meat, broccoli, beans and raisins. There are almost no risks to giving blood. You can’t get a disease by giving blood, since all of the needles, lancets, and swabs are used only once and thrown away. And, only less than half of one percent of people who donate blood, feel slightly uncomfortable during or immediately after donating. |
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Resources and References:
All About Blood
Blood Supply Safer Than Ever
All About Blood – FAQ’s |
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