Individuals may be temporarily or permanently deferred from donating blood. Individuals who are temporarily deferred are those who have a short-term condition or circumstance under which donation is not recommended, including
• Low blood cell count
• During pregnancy and until 6 weeks after giving birth
• Having received a tattoo or any body piercing within the past year
• Recent travel to certain areas of Africa, Central or South America, Mexico, or Southeast Asia
If you are temporarily deferred, you can check with your local blood bank to find out when you can donate.
Individuals who are permanently deferred should never donate blood. Permanent deferrals in the US include
• Anyone with a positive test for HIV
• Having had hepatitis at age 11 years or older
• High risk of having HIV because of injection drug use or sexual contacts
• Anyone who has ever received clotting factor concentrates
• Anyone who has had babesiosis or Chagas disease
• Anyone who has spent 3 months or more in the United Kingdom from 1980 through 1996
• Anyone who has spent 5 years or more in Europe from 1980 to the present
