Sometimes you are not allowed to donate for a limited time, even though you may be able to donate again later. This is called a temporary deferral.

Fever and infections

If you:

·       Have a fever, severe sore throat, cough, stomach infection, or body aches.

·       Are recovering from illnesses like flu, dengue, COVID‑19, typhoid or other acute infections.

Then you will usually be asked to wait until fully recovered, and sometimes for a short extra period (for example, 1–2 weeks) after you feel normal again.

Reason:

·       Donation during or immediately after infection can be harder on your body.

·       Some infections can be passed to patients through blood if you donate too early.

Antibiotics and ongoing treatment

If you are taking antibiotics:

·       Many blood banks ask you to finish the antibiotic course and be symptom‑free for a certain number of days before donating.

·       This indicates that the infection is cleared and that your body is not under active stress.

Always tell staff what medicine you are taking, why you are taking it, and when your symptoms started and ended.

Recent surgery or major dental work

If you recently had:

·       Major surgery (e.g., abdominal, orthopedic, heart, neurosurgery).

·       Significant dental procedures with risk of infection or blood loss.

You may be asked to wait anywhere from a few weeks up to 12 months, depending on the type of surgery and recovery. For minor procedures, the wait may be much shorter.

Reasons:

·       Your body needs time to heal and rebuild blood cells.

·       Surgeries and hospital stays can expose you to infections that must be ruled out first.

Vaccinations

Not all vaccines require a deferral, but many do for a short period:

·       Common vaccines (like cholera, typhoid, tetanus, some travel vaccines) can require a 15‑day or longer wait.

·       Certain vaccines that contain live viruses may require a 4‑week wait or more.

·       Rabies post‑exposure vaccination often requires up to 1 year before you can donate.

Always tell the staff:

·       Which vaccine you had.

·       On what date.

·       Whether it was part of routine immunization or because of a possible exposure.

They will consult local rules to decide your waiting period.

Other temporary deferrals

Depending on local guidelines, you may also be temporarily deferred after:

·       Tattooing or body piercing (often 6–12 months, due to infection risk).

·       Endoscopy procedures (like colonoscopy, gastroscopy) for some months.

·       Blood transfusion (often 6–12 months) to ensure infections do not appear late.

Temporary deferral can feel discouraging, but it means: “Not safe today, but very possibly safe later.” Mark your calendar or let RedLife remind you when your deferral period ends.