Donating platelets does not interfere with your ability to give blood. You may give platelets 48 hours before or eight weeks after donating whole blood. Because only the platelets are removed from your blood while plasma and red blood cells are returned to your body, you may avoid many of the side effects normally experienced with whole blood donations. During the procedure, some platelet donors feel a slight tingling around their lips and nose. This is a mild reaction to the anticoagulant used in the procedure and can be controlled.
Platelet donation is safe.
You cannot get AIDS or other infectious diseases by donating any blood component. All equipment that blood comes into contact with is sterile and disposable. There is no risk of getting any disease during the donation process.