Re: whole blood or plasma?


bae@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:
> In article <1123734155.882084.209800@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>,
> <fresh~horses@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> >I'm being approached to donate plasma regularly: every six days. The
> >pamphlet doesn't tell me everything I'd like to know. Such as:
> >
> ># why does it take longer to donate plasma?
>
> Instead of just filling a blood bag, they hook you up to a machine that
> takes blood, centrifuges out the plasma and returns the red blood cells.
> It does this repeatedly until a unit of plasma is collected.
>
> ># is the needle going to get any bigger? why?
>
> AFAIK, it's the same size, more or less.
>
> ># why can I donate plasma every six days, rather than every 56 days for
> >whole blood?
>
> It takes your body only a few hours to replace the plasma. It takes
> much longer to replace red blood cells.
>
> ># why is my blood type more desirable for plasma than the type most
> >desirable for whole blood?
>
> I don't know for sure. I could do some handwaving, but I'd rather wait
> for a more knowledgable person to reply.
>
> Incidentally, all blood types are desirable -- the commoner blood types
> are needed in larger quantities because recipients as well as donors
> have them more commonly. Less common types are desirable because they
> are harder to find among donors, but still needed by recipients.
>
> ># what do they do with plasma they can't do with whole blood?
>
> Plasma is often separated into a variety of different products used to
> treat various conditions, e.g. clotting factors for hemophiliacs, gamma
> globulin to protect people who have been exposed to some infectious
> diseases, and many others. Because people can donate plasma more
> often, it's more available, so most whole blood donations can be used
> for transfusions instead of to obtain these blood factors.
>
> You can probably find more detailed and authoritative information on
> web sites like the CDC, the American Red Cross, and similar organizations
> in other countries.
>
> Donating blood is something most people can do, and it's a form of
> volunteer activity that takes little time or energy or talent, so it's
> particularly good for people who aren't able to do other volunteer
> work. The only source of blood and blood products is donors. This
> isn't something you can get off the shelf, or reorder from a factory --
> people have to make the stuff in their own bodies and be willing to
> donate it to save other people's lives.
>
> Everybody wants their country to be a place where blood and blood
> products are available when they or their loved ones need them. The
> only way to make your country a place like that is to donate and
> encourage others to donate.


I'm also concerned about the plasmapheresis process. I know they will
give me reassurances. But I don't know that I will be reassured.

.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: whole blood or plasma?
    ... >>give me reassurances. ... > contribute to a society in which there will be safe blood and blood ... > I don't think there are any personal medical benefits from plasma ... > You seem to have a number of misgivings about plasma donation. ...
    (sci.med)
  • Re: whole blood or plasma?
    ... >I'm being approached to donate plasma regularly: ... takes blood, centrifuges out the plasma and returns the red blood cells. ... all blood types are desirable -- the commoner blood types ...
    (sci.med)
  • Re: whole blood or plasma?
    ... >give me reassurances. ... contribute to a society in which there will be safe blood and blood ... I don't think there are any personal medical benefits from plasma ... You seem to have a number of misgivings about plasma donation. ...
    (sci.med)
  • Re: whole blood or plasma?
    ... >> It takes your body only a few hours to replace the plasma. ... >> much longer to replace red blood cells. ... > protein content before they allow them to donate again. ... > be malnurished or ill or both, can't always replace plasma proteins as ...
    (sci.med)
  • Re: OT: Popsicles, Proselytizing and False Imprisonment
    ... That really makes me feel like I've done something useful for society. ... My SO gives blood, but she's only allowed to donate ... I donate plasma and platelets as needed. ... Maybe 3rd time lucky!! ...
    (rec.food.cooking)