Health encyclopaedia

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Blood donation

The availability of blood for operations and transfusions is an essential part of our health care system. Doctors and surgeons rely on blood donations to carry out a wide variety of life saving and life enhancing treatments daily. Components extracted from the blood, such as plasma, are also important in treating burns or preventing infection.

Only 6% of the eligible population currently donate blood, but the need for blood transfusions remains consistently high. Anything up to three million donations a year are needed in the UK alone to keep pace with all the treatments that are carried out.

Hospitals throughout the country need supplies of all types of blood, not just the rare blood groups. The commoner the blood type, the greater the demand for it. Blood groups O and A are by far the most common in the UK, with 88% of the population having one of these blood types. Group B is far less common, and only occurs in 9% of people. Blood group AB is even rarer. Only 3% of the population have this blood type.

• How is it performed?
• What is it used for?
• Who can use it?
• Risks

• B12 deficiencyBabies cryingBabies, weaningBack painBad breathBaker's cystBalanitisBarium enemaBedwettingBehcet's diseaseBell's palsyBicarbonateBinge eatingBiopsyBipolar affective disorderBirthmarksBitesBites, insectBites, snakeBladder infectionsBladder stonesBleeding gumsBlepharitisBlistersBlood donationBlood gases testBlood groupsBlood poisoningBlood pressure (high)Blood pressure (low)Blood testsBlood transfusionBlushingBody odourBody piercingBoilsBone cystBone marrow donationBone marrow transplantBotoxBottle feedingBotulismBrain abscessBrain deathBrain injuryBrain tumourBreast abscessBreast implantsBreast lumpBreast reductionBreastfeedingBreathlessnessBroken bonesBronchiectasisBronchiolitisBronchitisBronchodilator drugsBulimiaBunionBursitis

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