Travel - Whole Blood and Components

Supporting information

See if relevant

• Air crew and air traffic controllers
• Geographical Disease Risk Index
• Hazardous activity
• Infection, general
• Malaria
• South American trypanosomiasis

Additional information

Donating before or after travel should not be a problem provided the donor is well hydrated. Travelling, particularly by plane, can be dehydrating and this may increase the risk of developing a thrombosis. If the donor is dehydrated, they should be advised to delay donating until they are well hydrated to avoid an increased risk of fainting.

If the donor is likely to be exercising in conditions where the amount of available oxygen is low (e.g. at high altitude) it may be sensible to delay donation within two weeks of travel, so as to avoid the possibility of increasing the risk of adverse events.

Reason for change:

The See if Relevant section has been revised.

Version details:

WB-DSG Edition 203 Release 66 (18 October 2022)