Blood Basics

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• QWhat does blood consist of?

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  A SecondsCount.org answered

  Blood is made up of four parts:

  • red blood cells, to carry oxygen, are rich in iron, which gives blood its red color
  • white blood cells, to fight infection
  • platelets, which when activated become sticky to  help form blood clots to heal cuts, scrapes and wounds
  • plasma, the “serum” part of blood to transport nutrients, proteins, and hormones throughout the body

  Your healthy body is constantly replenishing each of these blood components. Some are able to be replenished within a few hours, some within a few weeks.

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• QWhat do blood cells do?

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  A Jumo Health answered

  Red blood cells carry oxygen all over the body. White blood cells protect the body by fighting germs that can otherwise cause infections. Platelets plug cuts to stop bleeding.

• QWhat is involved in donating blood?

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  A Discovery Health answered

  Each year, about 12 million to 14 million units (pints) of blood are donated in the United States. Typically, a blood donor must be at least 17 years old, healthy and more than 110 pounds.

  Before donating blood, the donor is given an information pamphlet . A health history is taken to make sure the donor has not been exposed to diseases that can be transmitted through blood, and to determine if donating blood is safe for his or her own health. A donor's temperature, pulse, blood pressure and weight are measured. A few drops of blood are taken to make sure the donor is not anemic. Once the needle has been placed, it usually takes less than 10 minutes to remove a unit of blood. Sterile, single-use equipment is used. Therefore, donors have no danger of infection. Donors should drink plenty of fluids and avoid exercise that day. Donors can give blood every eight weeks.

  The individual units of blood can be separated into several components. Each component can be given to someone with a specific need. Therefore, a single unit can help many people. The various components include packed red or white blood cells and many others.

  Plasma, for example, can be thawed and transfused to treat bleeding disorders if clotting factors are missing.

  Platelets can be transfused into people with low platelet count (thrombocytopenia) or people with abnormally functioning platelets.

  Albumin, which makes up 60 percent of the protein in plasma, is used when blood volume needs to be increased especially when fluids have not worked. This is used for severe bleeding, liver failure and severe burns.

  Immunoglobulins are given to people who have been exposed to a certain disease including rabies, tetanus or hepatitis to help prevent those diseases.

  Factor VIII concentrate and cryoprecipitate are used for hemophilia A (classic hemophilia). This disease is caused by a deficiency of factor VIII.

  Factor IX concentrate is used for hemophilia B ("Christmas disease"). This disease is caused by a deficiency of clotting factor IX.

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• QHow does the blood donation process work?

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  A American Red Cross answered

  Donating a unit of blood takes about 45 to 60 minutes. Medical equipment is sterile, used only once, and then discarded. The actual donation process works like this:
  1) You will complete donor registration, which includes your name, address, phone number, donor identification number (if you have one), and other related information.
  2) You will be asked to show your donor card or other identification.
  3) You will be asked some questions about your health, travel history, and lifestyle or risk behaviors. All information is confidential.
  4) You will receive a mini “health exam”, including checks for blood pressure, temperature, and pulse. In addition, a drop of blood will be obtained from your finger to make sure that you have enough red blood cells to safely donate.
  5) You will proceed to a donor bed where your arm will be cleaned with antiseptic. If you are allergic to iodine, be sure to tell the phlebotomist so an alternate antiseptic may be used.
  6) You will have a blood unit and blood specimens drawn.
  7) You will receive snacks and beverages while you wait for about 15 minutes after donation. Waiting periods are different in different states.
   
  Donating blood is a simple process. Your gift of blood may help three people or more. Donated red blood cells have a shelf-life of up to 42 days. A healthy donor may donate every 56 days.

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• QWhen do doctors use platelet-rich plasma therapy?

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  A NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital answered

  There is no minimum or maximum age for patients receiving PRP, which can be used to promote surgical healing, for an injury that does not require surgery, and for chronic tendon injuries, as well. "We can inject it after an ACL or rotator cuff surgery or any shoulder or knee operation," says Dr. Ahmad, who specializes in shoulder instability and labral tears, ACL injuries, Tommy John surgery, and advanced arthroscopic surgical techniques for sports related injuries of the knee, shoulder, and elbow. "Not only does it make the injury heal faster, it also makes recovery more predictable." Dr. Ahmad describes a high school pitcher who injured his ligament and normally would require Tommy John surgery. "Because of his young age and his desire to avoid a year-long rehab, we gave him the injection to help his ligament heal. Usually it goes hand in hand with an aggressive rehab program and other modalities that stimulate healing such as ice and heat contrast and sometimes ultrasound."
  
  Dr. Ahmad cannot say definitively how much faster PRP accelerates healing, but points to examples where it has reduced the process considerably. "We've had patients with hamstring strains from playing sports such as baseball, and what typically has been a six-week injury has gone down to a three-week injury," he says. "We don't have enough numbers to actually quantify it, but we have seen healing time reduced quite a bit in patients treated with PRP."

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• QWhat is platelet-rich plasma?

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  A NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital answered

  Blood is made of red blood cells, white blood cells, plasma, and platelets. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is the name given to blood plasma with a high concentration of platelets that contains huge doses of bioactive proteins, such as growth factors, that are critical in the repair and regeneration of tissues.

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• QWhat are plasma derivatives?

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  A American Red Cross answered

  Plasma derivatives are concentrates of specific plasma proteins prepared from pools (many donor units) of plasma. Plasma derivatives are obtained through a process known as fractionation. The derivatives are heat-treated and/or solvent detergent-treated to kill certain viruses like those that cause HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C. Plasma derivatives include: 
  - Factor VIII Concentrate
  - Factor IX Concentrate
  - Anti-Inhibitor Coagulation Complex (AICC)
  - Albumin
  - Immune Globulins, including Rh Immune Globulin
  - Anti-Thrombin III Concentrate
  - Alpha 1-Proteinase Inhibitor Concentrate
• QCan I donate blood if I live with someone with hepatitis?

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  A American Red Cross answered

  If you live with or have had sexual contact with a person who has hepatitis, you must wait 12 months after the last contact.
  Guidelines on eligibility to give blood change from time to time. The most up-to-date eligibility information can be obtained by contacting the American Red Cross blood center nearest you.
• QCan I donate blood if I have the sickle cell trait?

  1 Answer

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  A American Red Cross answered

  You are eligible to donate blood if you have the sickle cell trait.
  Guidelines on eligibility to give blood change from time to time. The most up-to-date eligibility information can be obtained by contacting the American Red Cross blood center nearest you. 
• QHow long do I wait to donate blood after organ or tissue transplant?

  1 Answer

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  A American Red Cross answered

  You must wait for 12 months after receiving any type of organ transplant from another person before donating blood. If you ever received a dura mater (brain covering) transplant, you are not eligible to donate blood. This requirement is related to concerns about the brain disease, Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD).
   Guidelines on eligibility to give blood change from time to time. The most up-to-date eligibility information can be obtained by contacting the American Red Cross blood center nearest you.