No, not while you feel sick: the American Red Cross says to wait if you have a fever or a productive cough, or if you do not feel well on the day of donation. Once you feel well, have no fever and are past the wet cough, the Red Cross lists no set waiting period after a plain cold. If you were on antibiotics for a sinus, throat or lung infection, finish the course first. COVID-19 has its own rule: wait until you are fully recovered and symptom-free for at least 10 days.
What does the Red Cross say about colds and flu?
The American Red Cross eligibility list groups cold and flu together. Its rule is short: you should not donate on a day you are sick. The staff will also check your temperature before you give blood.
The Red Cross does not list a fixed number of days to wait after a simple cold. The test is how you feel on the day of your appointment.
- Fever: wait. US federal rules say your oral temperature must not be above 99.5 F (37.5 C) on the day you donate.
- Productive cough (bringing up phlegm): wait.
- Not feeling well that day: wait and reschedule.
- On antibiotics for a sinus, throat or lung infection: wait until you finish the treatment.
What if I just have a stuffy nose or allergies?
The Red Cross treats allergy symptoms differently from an infection. A stuffy nose, itchy eyes or a dry cough from allergies is acceptable as long as you feel well, have no fever and can breathe through your mouth without trouble.
If you are not sure whether a stuffy nose is allergies or the tail end of a cold, use the same check: no fever, no wet cough, and you feel well. If any of those is off, reschedule.
How long after antibiotics can I donate?
Red Cross rules for antibiotics depend on why you took them and how they were given. The reason matters because the Red Cross says a donor with an acute infection cannot give blood.
- Pills for an infection: you can donate once you finish the course. The Red Cross says your last pill can be on the day you donate.
- A shot of antibiotics for an infection: wait 10 days after the last injection.
- Antibiotics to prevent infection for reasons like acne or rosacea: acceptable while you take them.
- Any temperature above 99.5 F: you cannot donate, whatever the antibiotic.
What are the rules after COVID?
The Red Cross FAQ lists COVID-specific rules on top of the cold and flu rules. They are stricter because they use a set number of days.
- Had COVID with symptoms: be fully recovered and symptom-free for at least 10 days.
- Tested positive with no symptoms: wait 10 days after the positive test.
- Waiting on a test result: you can donate if it comes back negative and you have no symptoms. If it is positive, wait 10 days from the test or 10 days from when your symptoms fully go away, whichever is longer.
- COVID or flu shot: no wait, as long as you feel well and have no symptoms or fever. For COVID, this applies to the Moderna, Novavax, Pfizer and Janssen vaccines. If you do not know which type of COVID vaccine you got, the Red Cross says to wait 2 weeks.
When should you get care?
In an emergency, call 911See a clinician soon if you have a fever that lasts longer than 4 days, symptoms that last more than 10 days without getting better, signs of dehydration, or a chronic condition that is getting worse.
Get care the same day if a fever or cough gets better and then comes back or gets worse, or if you are breathing fast or having trouble breathing.
Call 911 if you have severe trouble breathing, chest pain or pressure that will not go away, confusion, a seizure, or you cannot stay awake.
How our AI doctor decides when to send you to care ›Why does it matter if I donate while sick?
FDA rules say a donor must be in good health on the day of donation. A donor is not eligible if the donation could harm the donor's health or the safety of the blood.
If you get sick after you donate, call the Red Cross at 1-866-236-3276. They ask you to call if you develop a fever or flu-like symptoms such as tiredness or muscle aches, or if you are diagnosed with an infection.
These are American Red Cross rules. Other blood centers can set their own criteria. For example, the UK's NHS asks donors to be recovered from any infection for at least 14 days. Check with the center where you are booked.
Common questions
Can I donate blood with a cold?
Not while you have a fever, a productive cough or feel unwell, per the American Red Cross. Once you feel well and have no fever, you can usually donate with no set waiting period. If you took antibiotics for a sinus, throat or lung infection, finish them first.
How long after a cold can I give blood?
The Red Cross does not set a number of days for a simple cold. You can donate when you feel well, have no fever and no longer bring up phlegm when you cough. Your temperature is checked before you donate and must be 99.5 F or lower.
Can I donate blood with a sore throat?
If the sore throat comes with a fever or you feel unwell, wait. If it was strep or another throat infection treated with antibiotic pills, the Red Cross says you can donate once you finish the course.
Can I take cold medicine and still donate?
The Red Cross says that in almost all cases medications do not disqualify you, and that eligibility depends on why you take them. Over-the-counter cold medicine does not fix the main issue, though: if you still have a fever or feel sick, wait. One exception: aspirin does not affect whole blood donation, but you must wait 2 full days after aspirin before donating platelets.
Can I donate blood after COVID?
Yes, once you are fully recovered and have had no symptoms for at least 10 days. If you tested positive but never had symptoms, wait 10 days from the test date.
Can I donate right after a flu shot?
Yes. The Red Cross says flu, COVID-19 and RSV vaccines do not cause a waiting period as long as you are healthy, feel well and have no symptoms or fever on the day you donate. If you got a COVID vaccine and do not know which type, it asks you to wait 2 weeks.
Pymander is not a replacement for a physician and does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with questions about a medical condition. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911.