Are there any Risks?

A. Immediate Risks

1. Needle injuries

• Minor discomfort due to finger prick or needle insertion
• Bruises or haematomas where the blood was taken
• Pain or paresthesia (pins and needles) on the same arm

2. Vasovagal reactions

Nausea or vomiting

• Syncope (light-headedness, dizziness or fainting, which can sometimes be due to a drop in blood pressure)
• Seizures (fits): a very rare occurrence but, can happen especially if a donor is epileptic

B. Delayed risks

1. Needle injuries

• Bruising of the arm may occur days after a donation.
• Numbness due to nerve damage
• Thrombophlebitis (rare)
• Needle phobia and sereve anxiety prior to donation

2. Aanaemia or iron deficiently

• Some donors can become iron deficient if they donate too frequently.
• Female donors are more at risk of developing iron deficiency and may be advised not to donate more than four times per year.

Red blood cells are replaced by bone marrow into the circulatory system within 3-5 weeks, and lost iron replaced over 6-8 weeks. Due to the time frame required for iron replacement, donors are eligible to donate whole blood approximately eight weeks (± 56 days) after the previous donation.

Phlebotomists may sometimes experience difficulties in obtaining enough blood from some donors because of unsuitable veins and this, as well as faints, may sometimes necessitate cancellation of a donation.

Donors are discouraged from heavy exercise or lifting until the next day and, encouraged to drink lots of fluids after donating to replenish blood volume.

Donor staff is trained to handle and stabilize donors if complications occur and, to prevent further injuries like, falls resulting in head injuries, dental injuries, fractures, cuts etc.

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