[originaltext] Donating blood plasma has always been a noble pursuit to help

Donating blood plasma has always been a noble pursuit to help those in need. Since last September, there has been an upsurge in blood donations, as the need has become more emphasized and more empathized. But if you’ve had a tattoo or piercing within the last year, you will more than likely be turned away from any blood bank.
    When you go to a blood bank to give plasma, they ask you a series of questions to determine if you are eligible to donate. Obviously, they don’t want to risk accepting contaminated blood, so they will ask about your sexual history, current health status and other related questions, including whether or not you have gotten a tattoo or piercing within the last 12 months.
    All blood that is donated is screened for disease such as HIV, Hepatitis, Syphilis and other common blood-born ailments.
    However, it goes without saying that it is a waste of the blood bank’s and the donor’s time to harvest blood that is tainted and thus worthless.
    So, in order to avoid wasted time, they ask these questions to screen the potential donor. And although even I would be quick to say that tattooing and piercing are much safer than some medical professionals like to indicate, there is still always a chance of getting and carrying a disease unknowingly from a tattoo or piercing, especially Hepatitis. That has been the object of many heated arguments and stringent regulations.
    If you should happen to contract a disease from a tattoo or piercing, it should show up in a screening after 12 months, which is the reason for the waiting period. Yes, maybe it’s a little over-precautious, but would you want to be the one on the receiving end of dirty blood? If there, is even a chance, it is better to be safe than sorry.