A Conscientious Doctor Reveals the Inside Story of Blood Donation
Recently, there has been an overwhelming amount of misinformation claiming that无偿献血 (voluntary blood donation) is harmless to one's health. As an ordinary medical professional, I feel it is my duty to provide a reasonable explanation regarding this matter. First, what exactly is blood? The three types of blood cells contained in blood are: red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Each component of the blood has its specific function. Plasma can carry water, salts, nutrients, hormones, and drugs to our tissues and remove metabolic waste to the lungs and kidneys, which are then expelled from the body through breathing and urination. Among these, white blood cells help your body fight infections, while the primary function of platelets is to stop bleeding. When you get injured, they stick together and plug the holes in the blood vessels, preventing further blood loss.