To ensure the safety of both patients and donors, these are some of the temporary or permanent reasons you may not be able to donate blood. If you were deferred in the past, you may be eligible to donate now.
Even if you can’t donate, you can still make a difference. Support Us as a volunteer or through a financial donation to support our lifesaving mission.
Not feeling well for any reason.
Cold, sore throat, respiratory infection, flu
Covid-19
Blood Transfusion
Cancer
Diabetes
Heart Disease
Surgery, serious injury
Some medical conditions or medications can also impact your donation eligibility.
See full list of medications that may affect your eligibility as a blood donor.
* These anti-platelet agents affect platelet function so people taking these drugs should not donate platelets for the indicated time; however, you may make a whole blood donation. Anyone taking Coumadin must wait 7 days after their last dose in order to be eligible for any type of donation.
Have had sex with someone who has hepatitis B or symptomatic hepatitis C
Syphilis, gonorrhea
You have had sex with new and/or multiple partners AND have had sex in the past 3 months.
To learn more about the recent updates to the FDA’s guidance on establishing a blood donor screening process based on Individual Donor Assessment, not sexual or gender identity, visit ncbb.org/ida.
Taken money or drugs in exchange for sex
You have had sex with anyone who:
Length of time before you can give blood: 3 months after last contact.
Ear, nose or skin piercing
Tattoos
You can usually donate immediately after receiving a tattoo in licensed parlors in most American states, however a 3-month deferral will apply if tattoo is received in: Georgia, Idaho, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New York, Pennsylvania, Utah, Vermont, Wyoming, as well as the District of Columbia, US Territories, and any other country.
Travel outside the United States
Travel to a malaria endemic area
Please do not give blood if you:
If you have any additional questions or concerns about donating blood, please call our donor eligibility team at 877.486.9414.
URGENT REQUEST: Please do not give blood just to find out your HIV (AIDS virus) test results. If you need information on where to go for confidential HIV testing, please call your local health department.