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Your blood pressure will be recorded and
a haemoglobin test will be administered.
Usually, about 450ml of blood will be col-
lected, which is less than one pint (586ml).
The average adult has about five litres of
blood circulating in the body.
The Process
Make sure you’ve had sufficient rest before
donating blood. Ensure that you have
had a proper breakfast or lunch. Avoid
caffeinated beverages and drink more
water. Avoid food with high fat content
as lipids in your blood may affect blood
screening tests.
Wear comfortable clothing – a top with
sleeves that can be raised above the elbow.
Make sure you are well hydrated after the
procedure and although exercise is not
prohibited, you should avoid strenuous
physical activity or heavy lifting for at
least five hours. Plasma takes 24 hours
to be replenished, whilst red blood cells
require about four to eight weeks. The
recommended interval between visits
ranges anywhere fromone to four months.
Who Should Refrain From Donat-
ing Blood?
You should not donate blood if you are
not in good health or suffering from
any illness. The same goes for
people under the influence
of alcohol or those using
or consuming recreational
drugs. Menstruating, expecting
and breast-feeding ladies should
also refrain.
If you have just delivered, received
immunisation or treatment for a malaria
infection, taken aspirin, received a transfu-
sion or blood components, underwent
surgery, you should seek pro-
fessional medical
advice on how
l o n g y o u
should wait
before donat-
i ng b l ood .
Any individuals
testing positive for, or are at higher risk of
contracting HIV or sexually transmitted-
diseases should also abstain.