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Giving blood

I always wanted to give blood before turning 17, but since I turned 17, I have never got around to doing it. I have heard that they take a pint of blood and was wondering if this hurts at all? Also I get nose-bleeds frequently so would it be a good idea to give blood? Thanks

Andrew

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Reply 1

Thud

Hurts more than just getting a blood test imo, but not excruciatingly so.

the bad thing (which they don't tell you beforehand!) is that you can't drink after giving blood (but if you do you get drunk pretty fast lol :wink:

) so if you plan on going out don't do it beforehand. You do get tea and biscuits after which is nice too :biggrin:

Reply 2

Spacecam

Its ok to give blood - the nosebleeds shouldn't mean anythin. They'll ask afew questions (EG: Have you had a cold in the past three days?) and tell you what will happen.

They take approx 1pt ( "One Unit") of blood from your arm and your arm might go abit cold. It takes about 15mins.

You aren't under any obligation to give blood remember! Just do it when you feel like it! If you feint/have a nose bleed, there are Drs and nurses on hand so you are in the best place.

Reply 3

coldfish

Err, nosebleeds wouldn't affect it at all. You lose barely any blood in a nosebleed. If you're nervous, the best advice I can give is to promise to do it with a friend. You can hold each other to your promises then, and have somebody to go with.

Since I'm not keen on needles, I'm actually rather glad that I'm not allowed to give blood. It stops me feeling guilty. :P

Reply 4

purplerat

Im giving blood 2morrow - its fine. Hurts a bit but then u get free juice nd biccies and the satisfaction that you could save someones life :smile:

Reply 5

ozcat

its a good idea to give blood,also your blood is tested for hiv etc.

Reply 6

Spacecam

You can't do it till you're 18 anyway, so you've got another year.

Reply 7

-!- Drew

Thanks guys. I also forgot to mention that when I was young, the Dr told my parents that my blood circulation was poor. That has caused my hands, feet to be cold all the time and they sometime go white/grey due to the lack of blood :confused:

Reply 8

-!- Drew

I've read that you can do it at 17...weird!

Reply 9

Vohamanah

I want to give blood but I'm not sure if I can. I had a blood transfusion when I was young and I know there's some period over which if you have had a blood transfusion you cannot give blood. I'm not sure what the dates are though. :s-smilie:

I'm probably worrying over nothing mind.

Reply 10

Spacecam

It still shouldn't stop the OP giving blood with poor circulation. However, they might have to help it come out with some pushing or get you to squeeze your fist etc to encourage blood flow.

Reply 11

JC.

I give blood if I see the waggon outside the uni.

Reply 12

Vohamanah

The website says I can't give blood if I've received blood since 1980 :s-smilie:

Anyone know why this is? Surely saying anyone who has received blood can not give it seems a little foolish to me. Wouldn't it cut out a huge amount of very willing donors? I know someone saved my life and I'd like to have the chance to help someone else...

Reply 13

srslysweets

I've given blood once, and I'm due to give again in march.

It really depends on the nurse you have as to how much it hurts etc. For me, it really didn't hurt at all. I didn't even feel faint at first. However, when I took the plaster off about 5 hours later I fainted on the kitchen floor, but you just gotta make sure you don't take the plaster off that day if you're faint-hearted. :p:

They do tend to have very strict guidelines, i.e. you can't give blood if you've had a cold, have HIV/AIDS or any STI's, have had a tattoo in the last year or had sex with a gay man etc. But, they give you a questionnaire to fill in beforehand, and this should let you know whether you fit the criteria to give blood. You also have to be above 8 stone.

They give you a blood test too, to check your iron levels, but this doesn't hurt and is really nothing to worry about. :smile:

Take someone with you if you like, to help calm you down. It's nice to have someone to chat to!

Any other questions, feel free to ask!

Reply 14

quadruple_twist

Spacecam

You can't do it till you're 18 anyway, so you've got another year.

Wrong - in the UK you have to be 17 or over to give blood. I'm 17 and have given it twice already.

pinkpinkuk: I can't remember the exact reason for not being allowed to give blood if you've had a transfusion since 1980, but I've read that that rule might be scrapped in the not-too-distant future.

EDIT: Yeah, it's because you are at a microscopically higher risk of having vCJD or Mad Cow Disease in your blood. Ridiculous if you ask me!

Reply 15

Vampyrcorn

Giving blood is nothing to worry about I promise. The sight of a little bit of blood is rather thrilling for most people, no?
If you ask nicely the nurse will show you the packet of blood afterwards and it's all warm and happy. Youre not allowed to stick your fingers in it or taste it, but you can get a nice close up view.

In anwer to your question - no, it doesn't hurt exactly. There's this lovely stinging sensation when the needle first goes in, but all the time you're pumping the blood out it doesn't hurt a bit. If feels slightly odd, but not painful.

You get a free drink and biscuit too. If you're into that kind of thing.

You should do it. It's the kind of thing that seems like it's going to be slightly scary and one can't help but visualising a room full of vampiric people jealously watching your blood and waiting for you to look the other way so that they can drink it, but in reality it's not a bad experience at all. Maybe you can take a girl with you and turn it into a valentine's day date? This way you won't have a chance to worry about the pain because there will be someone to take your mind off it. :smile:

Reply 16

Rouge

its fine, hurts a bit , nosebleeds should not be a concern at all

Reply 17

Cushti

I wish I could give blood, I have so much respect for people that do :smile:

.

I was really ill from ages 10-12, and had regular blood tests, but one time they got shoddy junior docs to do it, and they had to try 8 times to get any blood at all, I was a wreck by the end. Sounds like nothing, but when you're a little kid already going through **** it's tough :frown:

.

But yeah, fine with injections now, but taking blood has been a real nono ever since.

Go for it Andrew!

Reply 18

Clubber Lang

Is there any risk of getting diseases? i.e if they do not use a clean needle or from germs from aound the palce.

A long shot I know but worth considering (een if you only get a tiny hole in your arm!)