Indiana Blood Center being cautious about donations

TERRE HAUTE, IND. (WTHI) - Continuing News 10’s coverage of the Flu Outbreak, health experts say to think twice about donating blood.

In fact, Deuce Payne, a Phlebotomist at the Indiana Blood Center (IBC), says that if you are not 100 percent sure you are in perfect health don’t give blood.

"It'll take longer to get back to your normal self [if you are ill]. The second reason is some…diseases and infections can actually be spread throughout the blood, so it will go with your unit and that can be transfused to somebody that doesn't have an immune system, which can kill them," said Payne.

Employees at the IBC are trained to spot signs of the flu, which includes coughing and even conversations about getting over a recent illness.

If you are in good health the IBC is encouraging you to give blood now. The IBC is seeing a shortage of blood since more people are too sick to donate.

If you would like to set up an appointment to donate, contact the Indiana Blood Center at (800) 632-4722. You can also find a donation location near you by clicking here .

If you think you may not qualify to give blood due to a recent illness, or others being ill around you, you can review flu symptoms on our website by clicking here .