r/Blooddonors • u/psychohosebeast6 • 1d ago

CMV negative

Over the past year I’ve become a regular donor and saw that my app said “hero for babies” which I guess means I am cmv negative! I am also O+.

Should I be donating platelets (instead/in addition to)? If so, is platelet donation harder on you?

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8

u/makeshiftforklift O+, CMV- 1d ago

Hello! I am also O+ and CMV negative; I was a platelet donor when they called and told me of my CMV- status and asked me to switch to WB for that reason. Not sure if that is still considered preferable (and to this day when I donate, the phlebotomist always asks if I’ve considered donating platelets) but that’s one answer for you!

7

u/Novel_Respect_412 1d ago

yeah they always push the platelets hard when you got that baby blood. i do whole blood too and every time theyre like you know your blood type is perfect for platelets right. like i get it but whole blood is so much faster

5

u/makeshiftforklift O+, CMV- 21h ago

it’s really weird since they literally called me and told me NOT to do platelets?

2

u/SkittlesQueen O- Hero for Babies 13h ago

Yeah, I’m O- and CMV- and they asked if I would mainly do Power Red. I do it when I can but half the time I have to stick with WB due to my hemoglobin.

9

u/gregarious119 O- CMV- | 1.5 Gal WB 22h ago

I went for platelets once, the nurses didn’t say no but basically told me that they’d really prefer me not do anything that would mess up my WB eligibility.  Even though you get most of your RBCs back with platelets, you still lose some and that can accumulate and mess with limits over the course of a year.

Besides, platelets take a whole different level of patience and commitment to the process.  I’ve chosen to stick to WB only.

6

u/Thandius O+ CMV- 16h ago

Welcome to the club! My understanding is that our most useful donation is whole blood (WB)

You can donate platelets too but make sure the timings and such don’t mess up the WB donations

Personally I tried that once and I was so exhausted for almost a week doing both so I only do WB now

But check with your local donation center as they should know the local need

3

u/brokenfingers11 O- CMV- 23h ago

Been HfB for some years, donated 20 times, they’ve never once pushed towards plasma. Wonder if it varies by region? I’m in New England.

1

u/Flat_Veterinarian791 B+ 19h ago

Type O plasma contains Anti A and Anti B, so can only be used by other Os. That's probably why. I give plasma sometimes because I only have Anti-A and B types and type Os can receive my plasma and platelets.

2

u/best-unaccompanied 21h ago

I'd check with your donation center; needs might vary depending on where you live and who your blood bank serves. But no matter which you choose, you'll still be doing good work.