I gave blood yesterday and I don't feel well. What should I do?

Question

Yesterday I gave blood with the HEMA QUÉBEC team. Last night, after climbing the stairs in my house, I was out of breath as if I had made great physical efforts. This morning, when I woke up, I went down to the basement and when I came back up, 5 minutes later I fainted. Is this normal?

Alexandre Chagnon · Accepted Answer

Hello Ma'am, After donating blood, you may experience some side effects. Blood loss and iron loss contribute to these effects. You may experience nausea, vomiting, arm pain, fatigue usually occurring the next day, and decreased iron levels in the blood. Depending on the nature of your daily activities, there may be a delay before you can resume them in a normal way. I advise you to monitor your condition this day. Usually , the symptoms last for a few days and then go away. If you experience persistent weakness and fatigue, I would advise you to go see a doctor so that they can monitor your blood parameters. I also advise you to stay well hydrated (minimum 2L of fluid per day). If you feel weakness, take the time to sit up and elevate your legs if possible. In your case, it would also be best to avoid strenuous physical activities for 3-4 days following your blood donation. Do not hesitate to contact me with any additional questions! Happy day, Kenza Rais, Pharmacy Intern. supervised by Alexandre Chagnon, pharmacist