At a time when it is necessary to be “attention” in relation to blood reserves in Portugal, here are some precious indications.
There is no alert, but you need to be careful.
That was the warning from the Portuguese Institute of Blood and Transplantation, which last week called for blood donation.
There are those who have already donated blood more than 200 times. But there are those who are afraid to donate blood because of “things” they hear about this process.
In this context, and because donors are sought in Portugal, we took a look at the list of 12 facts It is myths about blood donation, published by Hospital Lusíadas.
Facts
Let’s start with what it is.
O Weight really has influence on blood donation. Anyone weighing less than 50 kilos is not authorized to donate blood. It is related to the volume of anticoagulant in the bag (63 mL), which has a minimum standard of 400 mL of blood; a person weighing less than 50 kilos could not donate the minimum volume, as there would be free anticoagulant left over, which is undesirable (it may harm red blood cells).
Blood should not be given during pregnancy or while if breastfeeds. Up to six months after giving birth, a woman should not donate blood – except in exceptional circumstances.
This is also true: whoever put a piercing less than a month ago or made a tattoocannot donate blood.
Diseases can be transmitted through donated blood. The recipient of the blood is really at risk of infections; one more reason why clinical screening is essential.
myths
Now what is a lie.
no, it does not exist blue blood. Oxygenation defines much of the color of the blood, but if arterial blood, with a lower oxygen content, has a very dark color – a bluish hue, if you like – it means that the person will have a serious respiratory disease or another complicated clinical situation that needs treatment. urgent.
One vegetarian can donate blood, contrary to what many people believe. If you have enough iron, folic acid, or vitamin B12 levels, and if your hemoglobin value is compatible, that’s fine.
You homosexuals It is bisexual can also donate blood. Sexual behavior is a risk factor – but that applies to anyone, regardless of their sexual orientation.
No, HIV and other diseases infectious cannot be contracted when donating blood. There is no risk for the donor because there is no contact with any other blood.
Related to the previous paragraph, when donating blood, it is not known if you have recently contracted HIV.
almost true
Age: can’t you donate blood before 16 and after 60? More or less. Minimum limit yes, between 17 and 18 years old; but the upper limit appears at age 60 if it is the donor’s debut.
You diabetics Can’t donate blood? It depends. If the donor needs insulin therapy or has the target organ affected, there is no donation. If there is inadequate blood glucose control, the suspension is temporary.
The people who suffered heart attacksHas problems cardiac or take medication for pressure high can not donate blood? It also depends: in cases of heart problems, no; in cases of arterial hypertension controlled by oral medication, without cardiac or renal involvement and without peripheral arterial pathology, it can be used.
Nuno Teixeira da Silva, ZAP // 
