Can You Donate Plasma If You Have Hepatitis C

You can make a meaningful impact on someone's life by donating blood plasma. You can even get compensated for it.

So, can you donate plasma if you have Hep C? Unfortunately, the answer to that question is no. Most medical experts say that you cannot donate blood if you currently have or have ever had Hepatitis C.

If you've never had Hepatitis C, DoNotPay can help you find the best plasma donation sites in your area and provide you with how much they pay.

What Is Plasma and Why Should You Consider Donating It?

Plasma is the most significant part of your blood. Plasma makes up about 55% of its overall content. When plasma is separated from the rest of the blood, it's a light yellow liquid that carries water, salts, and enzymes.

Plasma plays a critical role in maintaining healthy blood pressure, blood volume, and a proper pH balance. In addition, without plasma, our body would not be supplied with many of the necessary proteins to support blood clotting and our immune system responses.

Why should you consider donating blood plasma? If you're unsure whether you should donate plasma or not, here are some reasons.

According to the American Red Cross, individuals who experience severe trauma or shock need blood plasma. A plasma transfusion can provide the lifesaving blood volume required to restore their blood pressure and volume status and restore electrolyte levels.

People who suffer from liver disease or clotting factor deficiencies may need a plasma transfusion because their blood may not clot normally. An individual with these deficiencies who receives a cut or injury can lose too much blood. A plasma transfusion can supplement their body's clotting ability and prevent excessive bleeding.

Cancer patients sometimes experience complications in which their body has used up all their natural clotting factors. In cases like these, fresh frozen plasma may be critical.

Plasma Donor Eligibility Requirements

You can donate blood plasma if you meet the following requirements:

1. You're between 18 and 65 years of age
2. You weigh 110 pounds or more.
3. You're able to provide proof of identity (A photo ID and proof of address)
4. Pass a basic physical exam
5. Pass a basic health screen, blood test, and viral text (Ex. HIV test)
6. You have a prior diagnosis of COVID-19 ( as documented by an initial diagnostic test)
7. You have recovered from COVID-19 with no symptoms for at least 28 days before donation.

DoNotPay can also guide you on the requirements for people with other health conditions like diabetes who want to donate blood plasma.

Can You Donate Plasma if You Have Hepatitis C?

According to the American Red Cross, any person who has ever tested positive for Hepatitis C cannot donate plasma. This is because antibodies can be harmful to the person receiving the plasma.

Since 1991, the Public Health Service has recommended testing all whole blood and plasma donations for Hepatitis C, according to a 2020 report in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

How to Donate Plasma on Your Own

If you've never had Hepatitis C, you can donate plasma through your local American Red Cross. Unfortunately, plasma donations can only be made once every 28 days or 13 times a year. However, private plasma donation companies allow individuals to make donations multiple times a week. The minimum wait between two contributions is 24 hours, but you must wait eight weeks before donating plasma if you donate blood.

Where Should I Donate Plasma?

Choosing the best plasma donation site largely depends on your location. Naturally, you want to select a plasma facility close by and convenient for you to visit in person. Another factor to consider is the compensation and whether the site offers first-time donor bonuses and promotions. By researching these benefits in advance, you can maximize the amount of payment you receive for your donations.

Next Steps for Donating Plasma as Long as You’ve Never Had Hep C

As part of our clinical trials solution, DoNotPay can help you find the best plasma sites near you. We offer compensation estimates and outline the donation process and the eligibility requirements, so you know exactly what to expect. We'll also help you contact them if you have any questions or concerns, such as regarding your eligibility, office hours, compensation, or first-time bonuses.

Here's how you can use DoNotPay to become a plasma donor:

1. Search "plasma donations" on DoNotPay and find the nearest donation clinic through our clinical trials product.

2. Select the "Contact Now" button to learn more about eligibility criteria, contact the clinic with questions, or sign up for first-time donor bonuses.

3. Verify your information and submit your inquiry! DoNotPay will contact the clinic on your behalf and make sure your questions get answered.

Why Use DoNotPay to Help Donate Blood Plasma

Here's why you should let DoNotPay help you find a blood plasma center for you.

• It's fast. You won't have to spend hours trying to find the right blood plasma center.
• It's easy. You don't have to struggle filling out tedious forms or keeping track of various steps to complete the process.
• It's successful. You can rest easy knowing that we'll make the best case for you.

What Else Can DoNotPay Do?

Helping you find the perfect blood plasma donation site is just one of many things DoNotPay can help you with. DoNotPay also provides the following services:

• Advanced health care directives
• Clinical trials
• Insurance claims
• Request Sick leave