Can I give blood?
Almost certainly, and probably sooner than you think. Here is the whole picture, including how long each of the common reasons for waiting actually lasts.
Most people who think they can’t, can.
The middle column is the one worth reading. Almost everything that stops you giving blood stops you for a few weeks, not for good.
You can almost certainly give
- You are 18 to 65
- You weigh 45kg or more
- It has been 3 months since you last gave
- You feel well today and slept normally
- You are on routine medication like thyroxine or a statin
- You have a tattoo or piercing older than 6 months
Come to the next one
- You gave blood less than 3 months ago
- You have a cold, a fever or an infection right now
- You finished a course of antibiotics within 2 weeks
- You had a tattoo, piercing or major dental work within 6 months
- You are pregnant, or gave birth within the last year
- You had surgery or a transfusion within 6 months
Talk to us first
- You are being treated for a heart condition or cancer
- You have hepatitis B or C, or HIV
- You are on insulin
- You have had an unexplained fainting problem
- You are taking a blood thinner
How long each wait actually is
These are the general Indian guidelines. The medical officer at the camp works from the current national standards and from what you tell them on the day, so treat this as a good guide and their answer as the decision.
| After | You can give again |
|---|---|
| Whole blood donation | 3 months |
| Platelet (apheresis) donation | 48 hours |
| Cold, flu or any fever | Until fully recovered, usually 1–2 weeks |
| Course of antibiotics | 2 weeks after the last dose |
| Tattoo, piercing or acupuncture | 6 months |
| Major dental work | 1 month |
| Minor dental work or a scaling | 24 hours |
| Surgery under general anaesthetic | 6 months |
| Blood transfusion | 6 months |
| Pregnancy | 12 months after delivery |
| Miscarriage or termination | 6 months |
| While breastfeeding | Until the child is weaned |
| Vaccination (routine, inactivated) | Usually none, but mention it at screening |
| Malaria | 3 months after full recovery |
| Typhoid | 12 months after recovery |
Not sure? Come anyway.
Screening is free, takes ten minutes, and tells you your haemoglobin, your blood pressure and your group. Being deferred is recorded and costs you nothing. You simply come to the next one.
Register for Friday, 25 September 2026BlooDoc is not a medical provider and this page is not medical advice. Nothing here clears anyone to donate blood; only the medical officer at a camp can do that.