Questions and answers about plasma donation
What is the difference between donating plasma and donating blood? - Blood is made up of plasma and shaped or, in other words, cellular elements. During blood donation, both components are removed, whereas in plasma donation only part of the plasma is removed and the shaped elements (red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets) are returned to the circulation with saline solution.
What percentage of the blood is plasma? - About 55%
What can blood plasma be used for? - It is used to make life-saving medicines, used, among others, to heal immunocompromised patients, as well as for burns, transplants, haemophilia and autoimmune diseases.
What is haemophilia? - Haemophilia is a disease in which there is a partial or complete lack of certain blood clotting factors, so that the blood clotting process is disturbed, resulting in haemophilia. Plasma donation is also used to help treat patients with haemophilia.
Is there any research going on in the centre? - In the Hungarian centres of Plazmaszolgálat (Plasma Service), i.e. the Plasma Points, only blood plasma is collected.
What does the eligibility test consist of? - The eligibility test is performed after the venal check. If you have a suitable vein for plasma donation, the eligibility test consists of a general assessment, a medical examination and a blood test. The results of the laboratory test will be available within a week, so you can come in for a plasma donation after a week if you meet the medical criteria.
Can I eat before the eligibility test? - Yes, feel free to eat before the eligibility test.
When will I receive the results of my medical examination? - You can enquire at one of our contact points 8 days after the eligibility test. For privacy reasons, the blood test results will not be sent separately, but will be presented in person at the Plasma Point before the first plasma donation.
What can be substituted for the compulsory ID cards (social security card,personalidentity card, permanent address card)? - Identity card: Hungarian passport, driving licence, student card. Social security card: EU health insurance card or certificate of EU health insurance. Residence card: official document proving Hungarian address, e.g. residence permit, residence certificate, etc.
How long do I need to have lived in Hungary before donating plasma? - You must have lived in Hungary for at least the past 6 months.
How can I cancel an appointment? - If you have booked an appointment for a plasma session by phone or in person, you can cancel or change it by calling the toll-free(green) number 06-80/111-118, or online via the online booking system. If you have booked an appointment for an eligibility test online, you can cancel it via the link in the confirmation e-mail.
Is plasma donation harmful to health? - No. About 90% of blood plasma is water and 10% contains proteins, ions, trace elements, vitamins, fat, among other things, which can be replenished by adequate fluid intake and good nutrition.
Is it harmful in the long term? - Loss of fluids can be replaced withina short time by adequate fluid intake, and proteins, trace elements, vitamins and nutrients can be replaced within a few days by means of a balanced diet.
Are both arms punctured? - Usually not, only one arm is punctured.
Does my blood come into contact withother people's blood? - During the procedure, blood will only come into direct contact with single-use sterile instruments.
Are the medicines made from plasma given to Hungarian patients? - Yes, the plasma taken here is used to make medicinesmainly for Hungarian patients.
Do patients receive these medicines free of charge? - Yes, these medicines are subsidised by the social security system.
Are 45 plasma donations per year possible? - Yes, but the maximum number of donations per year is not per calendar year, but 45 donations per 365 days, which is not compulsory. The 45 donations in the course of a 365 day period need to be also taken into account later.
Does medication affect plasmadonation?
- Taking a contraceptive does not affect plasma donation if it was taken at least 3 hours before.
- If you are taking antibiotics, antivirals or antifungals, the first plasma should be given at least one week after the last tablet, ointment, suppository, etc. was taken.
- Other medicines taken regularly are subject to individual medical judgement. If you have a question about a specific medicine/disease, you can ask it here or contact our doctors on the green number indicated above.
Do diseases affect plasmadonation? - Several diseases can affect plasma donation, so each case will be assessed on an individual basis. Please consult our doctors here or on the green number above for dental treatment, broken bones or surgery.
How long after a tattoo, ear piercing orbodypiercing can I give plasma? - Plasma donation is possible 6 months after the tattoo, ear piercing or body piercing.
How does alcohol consumption affect plasma delivery? - Alcohol should not be consumed in the 10-12-hour period before plasma donation.
Does smoking affect plasma donation? - In general it does not, but please do not smoke at least 1 hour before plasma donation and immediately after plasma donation.
If I have a cold, can I go for aneligibilitytest or plasma donation? - You can come to us for an eligibility test or plasma donation within one week of becoming symptom-free.
Can I exercise before and after the plasma donation? - We do not recommend strenuous physical work or sports on the day of the plasma donation.
Can I drink coffee before a plasma donation? - Yes, if you drink coffee anyway, feel free to do so. However, please make sure you drink enough fluids with your coffee.
Why is it a problem if protein or immunoglobulin levels are low? - During plasma donation, some of the proteins in the plasma are also removed, so it is important to supplement these with adequate nutrition to keep them within the normal range. Protein and immunoglobulin levels are checked at each session and every 5thsession, and the optimal plasma donation intervals are set by our doctors on an individual basis, based on the laboratory results.
Why should I eat a lot of protein if I want to give plasma? - During plasmadonation, in addition to fluid loss, some of the proteins in the plasma (from which the drugs are made) are also removed, so it is important to eat a protein-rich diet to ensure that protein and immunoglobulin levels are kept within the normal range.
Why can't I give plasma every 2 days? - Plasma donation also removes proteins, ions, trace elements, vitamins and fat from the plasma, which the body needs about 3 days to produce again. Based on the laboratory results, our doctors will adjust the optimal plasma release intervals to suit the individual in question. We usually recommend 1 plasma donation per week.
What is "lipemic" plasma? - Every plasma contains a certain amount of fat. If the fat content of the plasma is higher, it is called "lipemic" plasma. Therefore, we recommend that you avoid eating fatty foods for at least 10-12 hours before you give plasma.
Why do I feel sick during plasma donation? - Fortunately, this is rare. If it does happen, there area number of reasons, but the main problems are: not drinking enough fluids, fatigue, stress, arriving with an empty stomach, or being too nervous before a plasma donating session.
What tests are performed during regular plasma transfusions? - Blood-borne virus tests and protein monitoring. In addition, your body temperature, blood pressure, pulse rate and haemoglobin levels are measured at the reception desk each time to check that you are not anaemic.
When do you need a new eligibility test? - If you have not had a plasma donation within 90 days of your first eligibility test or if more than 6 months have passed between 2 plasma donations.
How long after a plasma donation can you givea full blood donation? - At least 3 days, but we usually recommend a full week.
How long after a blood donation can I come back to give plasma? - You can come back to give plasma 15 days after a blood donation.
How long can I give plasma without donating blood? - You have 180 days from your first plasma donation to complete andrecord your annual mandatory full blood donation, from then on, you will be asked to donate at least once a year (at 365-day intervals).
Can I only make my compulsory annual full blood donation at a Plasma Point? - No, you can make your compulsory annual full blood donation at any blood donation site or organised blood donation event.
How often will Plasma Point organise blood donations? - Usually monthly, but more often if necessary.
If I have had a full blood donation in the last year, how can I prove it? - We will ask the National Blood Service for details ofprevious blood donations at regular intervals, so you do not need to go back for a full blood donation if you have already donated blood in the year before your first plasma donation.
Is Covid-19 testing done? - There is no Covid-19 screening, neither during the plasma donation nor during the blood donation. However, we have taken all necessary measures to protect our plasma donors and our staff.
What should I do if I have had a Covid-19 infection and would like to help cure patients with the coronavirus? - If you have had the infection and have been symptom-free for at least 1 month, please contact Plasma Point and our doctors will be able to give you all the information you need.
How long after a COVID vaccination can plasma be given? - Wait 7 days after the vaccine has been given, after which plasma can be given.
If I have been bitten by a tick, when can I give plasma again? - If you have not received medical attention and you do not have any symptoms, you can give plasma after 4 weeks from the date of the bite.
How long after a tooth extraction can plasma be given? - If you have undergone dental treatment, please consult our doctors on our toll-free numbers. Contact details for Plasma Points can be found at https://plazmaadas.hu/centrumaink.
Can plasma be given during pregnancy? - It is not possible to give plasma during pregnancy. Plasma can be given at least 6 months after pregnancy and childbirth if the mother is not breastfeeding. It is not possible to give plasma during breastfeeding, so please come back to give plasma at least 6 months after you have stopped breastfeeding.
How long after miscarriage or termination of pregnancy can plasma be given? - We ask that you wait at least 6 months after the event before coming to us again for plasma donation.
Can plasma be given during menstruation? - We do not recommend it. In this case, please postpone your visit to a time when your menstruation has passed.
I have taken a painkiller,can I still give plasma? - Yes, you can give plasma immediately if you have no complaints.
I do not have health insurance, can I give plasma? - You can give plasma if you have a social security card and a social security number, regardless of whether you have a health insurance.
I have iron deficiency, does this affect plasma donation? - This depends on your haemoglobin level, which is checked during the blood test at the eligibility test and during each plasma donation thereafter. Our doctors will let you know if your haemoglobin levels drop and you may need to take a break from plasma donating until your levels settle.
I had my ears reshot a week ago because they have a hole in them.Can I come in for plasmadonation? - In this case, talk to the donor doctor and, after considering the circumstances of the ear piercing, you will be able to discuss the next time for plasma donation.
I haven't booked an appointment, can I come in for a plasma donation anytime? - Sometimes we have free capacity when we can see you without an appointment, but this is very rare. We therefore ask that you always book an appointment for a plasma donating session in advance to avoid any possible inconvenience.
In addition, it is important to prepare for the plasma donation, including drinking plenty of fluids and eating well in the days before and on the day of the plasma donation. This is best done if you know in advance when you are next due to give plasma.
My arm has been a bit numb since the last puncture, will this affect plasma donation? - Sometimes, due to individual factors, the arm may become slightly numb at the puncture site, i.e. a so-called haematoma may develop. This usually goes away quickly and without symptoms, and healing can be accelerated by the use of heparin ointment. In this case, you can only give plasma if you have a suitable vein in the other arm.
Can I do sports at any time, even if I am a plasma donor? - We do not recommend any strenuous physical work or sport on the day before or on the day of the plasma donation.
I have developed cold sore. Can I continue to give plasma? - If you have cold sore, please wait to give plasma for two weeks after the cold sore has gone and only then visit us.
I am already a plasma donor at PlasmaPoint, can I go to any location in the country? - For the time being, immediate access between Plasma Points is only available between Plasma Points in Budapest (Árkád, Corvin, Studium) and Szeged (Mikszáth Street, Kígyó Street). Plasma donors in Budapest can go to any of the listed Plasma Points in Budapest, and plasma donors in Szeged can also choose to donate plasma at Mikszáth or Kígyó utca Plasma Points.
To switch between the other Plasma Points, you need to register at the Plasma Point where you want to go from now on. In this case, our staff will initiate the necessary re-registration process and will notify you when you can come for a plasma donation.
Where can I redeem the voucher you give me?
Rewin gift vouchers are accepted at a variety of locations, including groceries, stores selling technical items, home furnishings, beauty products, books and clothing. For a list of exact redemption points, please visit https://rewin.hu/elfogadohelyeink/