![]() Experts believe that the plasma may contain antibodies for SARS-CoV-2, the virus behind the disease. In May 2020, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) asked people who had recovered from COVID-19 to donate plasma. Plasma is in high demand, as it helps treat cancer and other health issues. Plasma donation involves drawing blood, extracting the plasma, and returning what is left of the blood to the person, all through a single needle that remains in the arm throughout the process. It contains proteins and antibodies that are crucial for clotting and immunity. These include feeling faint or dizzy, and bleeding, bruising, or inflammation around the donation site. Read more about colds and flu and the flu vaccine.Plasma donation, or apheresis, is a relatively safe procedure, but there can be minor side effects.Find out if you're eligible to donate blood and make an appointment at, or call the Australian Red Cross Blood Service on 13 14 95.Talk to your GP if you have any questions about colds and flu, vaccination or blood donation.Then, you'll be invited to the refreshments area to relax for another 15 minutes with a complimentary drink and snack. Rest timeĪfter your donation is completed, you'll rest on the couch for around 5 to 10 minutes. Staff will monitor you closely to ensure you're OK, but speak up if you feel uncomfortable or worried. You can read, chat with staff members or watch TV. ![]() You'll relax on a comfy chair or couch while you donate. You'll have a 'finger prick' test to check your level of haemoglobin (a protein that contains iron) and your blood pressure will be tested. InterviewĪ trained staff member will discuss your questionnaire answers with you and ask further questions to check that you're fine to donate. You'll be asked to complete a confidential donor questionnaire. When you arrive at the donor centre, you'll be greeted warmly by a reception staff member and your ID will be checked. Plasma or platelets donation takes 45 minutes, with the whole appointment taking 1.5 hours. The blood donation itself takes between 5 and 15 minutes, with the whole appointment taking 1 hour. For donors, it involves a whole lot of doing nothing. You might be wondering how blood donation works at an Australian Red Cross Blood Service donor centre. Because it's not a 'live' vaccine, flu vaccination does not affect blood donation. If you recently had the flu vaccination and are feeling well, you can still donate blood.If you have a cold or the flu, you can donate blood, as normal, 7 days after you've recovered from your symptoms.Plasma is the fluid that carries the red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. If you have a cold and have mild symptoms - such as a runny nose - but you don't have a fever, you can still donate plasma.If you don't have a cold or the flu, visit or call 13 14 95 to check if you're eligible and to make an appointment.Even if you have a cold or are getting over the flu, you may still be able to help. Every blood donation can help save 3 lives. If you're well, you should strongly consider donating blood. In particular, the Blood Service needs people with type O and A blood to donate, as nearly 9 in 10 Australians have one of these types. "To meet the needs of Australian patients, we really need 5,900 additional people to donate over the next 2 weeks," says Blood Service spokesperson, Helen Walsh. ![]() The Queen's Birthday long weekend is expected to make the problem worse if the public doesn't act. The Blood Service hasn't experienced this many cancellations since March 2017 - a particularly bad year for flu. But an early start to the cold and flu season has seen up to 1,400 donors cancel per day. On an average day in Australia, more than 5,000 people give blood. The Australian Red Cross Blood Service is in urgent need of blood donations as more people cancel their appointments because they're sick.
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