The following restrictions are from the Massachusetts General Hospital's website.
Temporary Blood Donation Deferrals
You should not donate blood if, in the past year, you have:
• had sex, even once, with anyone who
• has taken money or drugs in exchange for sex • has given themselves non-prescription drugs by needle • (for women) had sex with a man who has had sex with another man, even once, since 1977
• had or been treated for syphilis or gonorrhea
• had a blood transfusion, organ transplant, tattoo, skin piercing or needle-stick injury.
Other temporary blood donor deferrals:
• are pregnant or are less than 6 weeks post-partum.
• taking antibiotics within 48 hours.
• have had dental work within the last 24 hours
Permanent Blood Donation Deferrals
You should not donate blood if you have:
• have had any forms of Cancer with the exceptions of Basal Cell Skin Cancer or treatment for in situ Cervical Cancer
for in situ Cervical Cancer • have had a Heart Attack
• have serious heart or lung disease
• have had Hepatitis (viral)
• have ever traveled to or lived in the United Kingdom (England, Northern Ireland, Scotland Wales, The Isle of Man, or the Channel Islands) for a total of three months between the
years of 1980 and 1996 or traveled to or lived anywhere in Europe for a total of five years since 1980. There are some exceptions regarding military bases. For questions regarding travel, please call (617)726-8177. • want a blood test for AIDS or HIV
• has AIDS or a positive test for AIDS
• have any signs or symptoms of AIDS such as: fevers, night sweats, unexplained weight
loss, cough, diarrhea, swollen glands, white spots in the mouth, or purple or blue bumps
on the skin
• have given yourself a non-prescription drug by needle (including steroids) even once
• have ever taken clotting factor concentrates
• (for men) had sex with another man, even once, since 1977
• have taken drugs or money for sex since 1977
For answers to medical eligibility questions, call the Blood Donor Center at
617-726-9237 or 617-726-8171
Cannot donate, but would still like to help? Click here.
Holiday Season Blood Drive
Blood Donating Restrictions
