DALLAS, Texas. – Blood donations tend to decline during the summer and according to the American Red Cross, hospitals in the country have had to deal with an increase in visits to emergency rooms, overdoses and transplants, which has increased the demand for blood. The entity is asking that people be encouraged to donate, especially those with type O blood who are considered universal donors.
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But Who can donate blood?
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-People who are between 17 years old.
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-They must be in good health.
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-Weigh at least 110 pounds.
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-Not being sick with a cold, flu, sore throat, herpes, stomach illnesses or any other infection.
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-Not having a tattoo or piercing in the last 6 months.
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-Not having visited a dentist 24 hours before donating blood.
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-Have the minimum hemoglobin levels to donate.
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-Have traveled to areas with high rates of mosquito-borne infections, such as malaria, dengue, or Zika.
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-Have had “high risk” sex in the last 12 months.
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-Not being infected with HIV.
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-Not having injected drugs.
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-It is not recommended that women who are breastfeeding a baby donate blood.
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