For many, donating blood is a means to help save lives in the event of an emergency or unforeseen circumstance. However, there’s certain situations in which blood should absolutely not be donated, as it can only complicate the health of the individual receiving the donation.
This act of kindness is appreciated, but the window of jeopardizing a stranger’s health is too narrow to gamble with. So, this brings us to the big question: Is it illegal to donate blood when you’re on antibiotics?
When One Shouldn’t Donate?
Obviously there are different rules and mandates depending on the state one lives in, but almost all states follow these general rules:
- One shouldn’t donate blood if they have received a tattoo or body piercing in the past six months. If the piercing was performed by a medical professional, one may donate 12 hours after inflammation has disappeared.
- If one has visited the dentist or had any sort of dental procedure within the past 24 hours.
- If one is suffering from a cold sore, stomach bug, flu, sore throat, cough, or any other inflammation.
- If one has donated blood in the past 56 days.
- If one is currently on antibiotics, taken antibiotics in the past 7 days, or suffered from any inflammation in the past two weeks.
So given these situations, it’s important to follow these suggested guidelines. What may (or may not be) in donor blood will be transmitted to another individual, which can be especially risky due to the fact that their life is in the donor’s hands.
If one happens to have further questions about donating blood (or any other medical issue), feel free to contact your local pharmacy.
