Plasma is used in emergency and life-saving treatments. Donating plasma is a great act of generosity, but it may raise some concerns. In fact, blood and plasma can carry diseases. That is why donors and plasma are screened for a variety of diseases such as STDs, and donation centers follow strict safety protocols to ensure a safe donation and transfusion. When are you not eligible to donate?

To donate plasma, you must meet certain eligibility criteria regarding your weight, age, and health. Recent travel to a high-risk area, multiple sexual partners, a recent illness, or a recent tattoo may lead to a temporary deferrals.

All donors are tested, but recent infections may not show up, so it is important to be honest when answering the questionnaire administered by the medical staff. They will also ask about your recent sexual behavior.

Certain STDs may disqualify you from donating, such as:

However, you can still donate if you have had or been exposed to certain STDs:

In these cases, there is a three-month delay after full recovery and completion of treatment.

The safety of plasma transfusion is ensured through donor selection practices and screening tests. All donors are screened for STDs and undergo a physical examination prior to donation. 

All donors also complete a questionnaire. You are not eligible to donate if in the last three months you have:

In addition, donated plasma is screened again for STDs and other infectious diseases before it is used for transfusion and medical treatments.

Collected plasma is screened for:

Maintaining a healthy plasma supply is vital to public health, and plasma donation centers follow strict protocols to ensure the safety of both donors and recipients.

STDs may be a concern not only for donated plasma, but also if you are willing to become a donor. Getting an infection while donating is extremely rare nowadays: plasma centers use sterile equipment and single-use needles.

Donor selection practices, stringent safe protocols, screenings and your health and travel history ensure a safe environment for donors themselves.

In addition to basic screenings, questionnaires administered by medical staff about your health, travel and sexual behavior history are crucial to ensure the safety of the donation.

Recent infections may not show up, but still be infectious for those receiving plasma transfusion or treatment. That is why honesty plays a crucial role when it comes to donation. It ensures transparency and safety.

Remember that everything you tell the medical staff is confidential and will not be used against you or to judge you. It is not in anyone’s interest. Medical staff is not only highly trained, but also highly professional and will handle your sensitive information properly.

It is indeed in the interest of donors, donation centers and recipients to provide and receive a healthy plasma supply.

When it comes to plasma donation, you may have concerns about your health. What happens if you have a sexually transmitted disease? Is it possible to contract an STD while donating?

There are a few STDs that prevent you from donating. These include HIV, hepatitis B and C, HTLV, and syphilis. Other STDs such as chlamydia and gonorrhea are temporary disqualifiers but will not prevent you from donating later.

The donation process is safe, thanks to donor screenings, strict protocols, and sterile, single-use equipment. This ensures a healthy plasma supply that is essential for emergency and life-saving treatments.

If you have any concerns or fear you may have contracted a sexually transmitted disease, talk to your healthcare provider: it is fundamental for your health, not just your ability to donate plasma.