Abdominal discomfort and intestinal diseases

Lactose intolerance, functional abdominal discomfort, heartburn, constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, haemorrhoids and coeliac disease do not prevent blood donation.

The majority of stomach medications are also allowed for blood donors. Heartburn medicines, antacids and prophylactic medication used for gastric ulcers do not prevent blood donation. However, you may not donate blood if you suffer from an inflammatory intestinal disease such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis if your condition is symptomatic or you are on medication to treat your condition. In these cases, blood may be donated a year after the end of related symptoms and drug therapy.

Gastroenteritis (e.g. stomach flu or diarrhoea) temporarily prevents donation. At least two weeks must have passed since you stopped having symptoms and taking medication before donating blood.

In the case of parasitic intestinal diseases (e.g. giardiasis, amoebiasis), at least a month must have passed since you stopped having symptoms and taking medication before donating blood. If you are an asymptomatic carrier of the disease, this does not prevent blood donation. An infection caused by the Campylobacter prevents donation for a month after the symptoms and treatment have ended.

See also surgeries and endoscopic procedures

Would you like more information? Please call the free information number for blood donors on 0800 0 5801 (Mon to Fri from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).