WHY MUST I DISCLOSE MY WEIGHT, AGE AND INFORMATION ABOUT BODY PIERCING OR TATTOO?
Revealing your weight, along with your age as well as vaccination, medical and travel history, allows the blood bank to assess whether your blood is suitable and if you’re able to donate blood without experiencing any health problems, said Menon.
Information on having undergone treatments involving needles (such as body piercing and tattoo) is important for the blood bank to determine your risk of carrying a disease that is transmissible through blood, he said.
If your body piercing or tattoo was done “using sterile, single use or disposable needles”, you will be allowed to donate. “However, if you are unsure, you can donate three months after the last tattoo or body piercing procedure,” said Menon.
HOW MUCH BLOOD IS DRAWN EACH TIME? WILL I FAINT?
It takes about an hour to draw about 350ml to 450ml – or 8 per cent to 12 per cent of your blood volume – depending on your weight, said Adj Asst Prof Teo. For context, the average adult has 4 litres to 5 litres of blood.
As for the fear of inducing anaemia, the amount of blood drawn is “only a fraction of the total volume of blood”. In healthy individuals, the bone marrow will readily replace the blood and its components, he said. “With sufficient hydration, your blood volume will return to normal level in about three days.”