

Convalescent plasma is an antibody-rich product made from plasma donated by someone who has recovered from a disease/virus, such as COVID-19. In fact, donating after recovery from an illness is beneficially to those who recieve plasma, as you’re donating convalescent plasma. If you’re feeling ill, you should refrain from plasma donating until you’re better. Illnesses like a cold, flu, or even COVID-19 will temporarily defer you from donating plasma. Those with HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, or other chronic infectious diseases, can spread viruses or other microorganisms through blood components, including plasma. Some, like those with PI or hemophilia, rely on plasma-derived therapies to stay healthy and don’t produce enough plasma on their own to donate.
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Those with epilepsy can donate so long as they’ve been seizure free for a certain period of time, which could depend on the donation center. Those who have high blood pressure would need to be tested to see what their current blood pressure is at the time of donating. Those diagnosed with a serious or chronic illness–like high blood pressure, epilepsy, HIV/AIDS, or a primary immunodeficiency (PI)–are not eligible to donate plasma. It seems simple, but some restrictions that make you ineligible to donate are not obvious. To donate, you must be at least 18 years old, weigh at least 110 lbs., be in good health, and pass a medical screening. But to keep the plasma supply and plasma donors safe, some requirements must be met to be eligible to donate plasma.

Plasma donation is essential for those who rely on plasma-derived therapies. Most temporary deferrals last for a day, but some can last up to 6 months or even indefinitely. If you are temporarily deferred, you will be unable to donate for a certain period of time. There is also a chance you could be temporarily deferred from plasma donation. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a draft proposal * for eligibility rules for blood and blood product donation using “gender-inclusive, individual risk-based questions to reduce the risk of transfusion-transmitted HIV.” This new guidance brings to light the various limitations on plasma and blood donation and the impact they can have on the plasma supply.
