Disadvantages of Giving Blood & Plasma

Banking blood and plasma depends upon the initiative of donors and volunteers and acts as a critical factor in public health and safety. Accident emergencies, transplant operations, major surgery and blood diseases like hemophilia place a high demand on maintaining supply in all blood types. Given the importance of blood donation, the deep sense of satisfaction that comes with being a blood and plasma donor far outweighs the rare risks and discomfort associated with the process. Having said that, the procedure entails some specific disadvantages. They shouldn't deter you from donating, but you should consider them carefully beforehand.

The Difference Between Blood and Plasma

• Red and white blood cells, plasma and platelets are all critical medical resources

  Whole blood contains red blood cells (oxygen transporters), white blood cells (immunity builders), platelets (clotting agent) and plasma (the clear yellowish liquid that makes up over half of the total blood volume in a body). Blood serves as the carrier for those cells, along with infection fighting proteins. Medical personnel collect blood and plasma are collected. Blood is removed via a needle inserted in the vein. In the case of plasma the blood is removed the same way and the plasma is separated out in a process known as plasmapheresis. Once the plasma is removed, the remaining parts of the blood (the blood cells, platelets etc.) go back to the donor, along with some saline to avoid dehydration.

Local Reactions

• Both plasma and whole blood donors should prepare for some slight pain when the nurse places the needle in your arm. The needle stays in longer for direct plasma donors while they wait for the attendants to remove the plasma and return the remaining blood to them. Most of the adverse local reactions arise from complications with getting the needle into the right vein. Haematomas (bruising) may result from incorrect puncturing of the vein, causing some additional pain and swelling. The vast majority of these incidents require no treatment.

Other Adverse Reactions

• General reactions over and above proximity bruising can occur. The causes vary, triggered by pain reaction to the needle, the donor seeing his own blood, the sight of another donor in distress, or general stress brought by the donor to the procedure. Potential reactions include pallor, sweating, stomach pains, nausea, hypo-tension and a reduced heart rate. Extreme cases can result in a loss of consciousness. Such physical reactions are extremely rare. In the statistical study Adverse Reactions During Voluntary Donation of Blood and/or Blood Components, authors Antonio Crocco and Domenico D'Elia noted that only 1.2 percent of donors in their study suffered any kind of reaction at all, and among those, only 1.08 percent had mild reactions and only 0.2 percent had more severe disorders (vomiting, loss of consciousness, etc).

Calcium Loss

• A glass of juice usually comes at the end of the blood donation process.

  The cold sensation, pins and needles, and tingling around the lips and fingers of donors indicate a resulting reduction in concentrated calcium ions in the blood, which the plasma procedure can exacerbate when it involves the use of an anti-coagulant. Extreme cases of tremors, convulsions or arrhythmia occur very rarely, and the vast majority of symptoms are temporary and minor. A cup of orange juice and a cookie, and the donor can usually walk right out the door.

Time

• The time commitment constitutes perhaps the biggest disadvantage to donating blood. First time donors can expect a two to three hour visit; though subsequent visits should take half that time. All blood donors need to undergo screening and a health history check to insure the procedure's safety (both for the donor and the recipient). All plasma donors in the U.S. must also participate in a pre-donation physical and test for transmissible viruses, plasma protein levels and hemoglobin levels.