Giving blood & germs query?

aliasojo

My son has been asked by his friend to go with her as support whilst she gives blood.

Problem is he has a really bad cough and is coughing every few minutes. He's been staying in and just when we thought it was getting better, he goes out in the damp weather and it's back with a vengeance.

I know you cant give blood if you are ill, but I dont know if it would be frowned upon for him to go along with someone else. I think it's foolish tbh but I dont know if there's any guidelines about this sort of thing?

MrsTinks

I don't think there are any rules per say - but I've always gone on my own and obviously there are very strict rules about the donor being ill... I don't even know if they let people in with friends to sit next to them? The problem obviously in my mind would be if he was contagious as not only might his GF be ill but not showing symptoms yet, but he might also infect the staff and other donors... The blood itself is fine - it's all very sterile and the blood obviously isn't subjected to air at any point so no contamination should be possible.
What i would suggest is calling the Blood service and ask - the number should be on the paperwork his GF has with her appointment details.

If he's ill I'd say stay at home for his sake as much as anyone elses - can't she take someone else with her?

aliasojo

Thanks Mrs Tine, it's not a girlfriend...only a friend that's a girl. He hasn't seen her much lately so I doubt she's caught any nasties from him. She's a bit of a loner and doesn't really have people around her to support her, unfortunately. That's why my son was still thinking about going rather than crying off.

I really think it's best if he doesn't go though.