Donating plasma is a voluntary and noble act that can help save people’s life. Similar to the donated blood, the plasma of an individual is also used in trauma situations in hospitals to help people in need. The main function of plasma is to stop bleeding during emergencies. When thinking about donating plasma in the plasma center, consider doing some research beforehand. This article will let one know everything about donating plasma.

Who is Qualified for Donating Plasma?

There are different requirements for several types of blood donations. The reason why these requirements are put in place is to ensure the safety and health of the donor. Here are the required qualifications that are enlisted for the individual thinking of donating plasma:

• The minimum age of the donor must be 18 years old
• The donor must have good overall health
• The donor must weigh 110 pounds or more (50 kilograms)
• The donor must pass a medical screening
• The donor must test negative for viruses that can be passed through blood, like hepatitis and HIV
• The donor must complete a medical history screening

Some states allow teens aged 16 or more to donate plasma with the permission of their parents or legal guardian.

AB positive and AB negative are two blood types that are considered ideal for plasma donation. A person can donate plasma every 28 days and also it is to be kept in the mind that plasma can’t be donated more than 13 times in a year.

Is Donating Plasma Safe?

Both donating plasma and blood are similar. As long as an individual donates to a certified plasma center, donating plasma is considered safe. When considering donating plasma, the first and foremost thing that must be done is to research a center that is certified by IQPP (International Quality Plasma program). The certified centers are sterile and also staffed by highly trained experts. These centers sterilize and clean the equipment that is used in the plasma collection process. Certified centers make sure that any equipment that comes into contact with the donor is only used once to prevent the possibility of transmitting any kind of bloodborne pathogens.

How long does it take to Donate Plasma?

Usually, it takes around 90 minutes to two hours at the plasma donation appointment. The appointment includes registration, screening, and donation of plasma. It takes about 25 minutes to donate plasma.

Once the screening process is complete, one is asked to sit in a reclining chair, and a pressure cuff is put around the arm to find his or her veins. A trained staff member then places the needle into the arm of the donor using sterile and clean equipment.

Conclusion

Once the donor has gone through the plasma donation process, according to the certified plasma center, he or she should have a snack and drink some fluid to regain energy. Also, the donor is asked to avoid any heavy lifting or strenuous exercise for the rest of the day for better recovery.