Are you that kind of person who celebrates milestones of your life with getting a tattoo? These milestones could be anything, including the things you achieved, or the things you could not achieve but taught you a lesson. If you are this person, then you must have wondered if you can donate blood with all the tattoos on your body? There are lots of rumors on how can one donate blood, or if at all they are allowed to donate blood. So let's get into its nitty gritty!

As per American Red Cross, in most states, a tattoo is acceptable if the tattoo was applied by a state-regulated entity. Which means the tattoo artist must be licensed and must practice following all the guidelines, using sterile needles and ink that is not reused. The same is the guideline for cosmetic tattoos, which includes microblading of eyebrows. If it is done by a licensed artist in a regulated state, then it is acceptable.

However, if you got your tattoo in a state that does not regulate tattoo facilities, you must wait three months after it was applied.

The states that do not regulate tattoo facilities are:

• Arizona
• District of Columbia
• Georgia
• Idaho
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New York
• Pennsylvania
• Utah
• Wyoming

Body Piercing

Similar is the case with body piercings. It has to be done following the regulation, here the key is that the instrument used has to be a single-use equipment and disposable. Which means if you are getting it by a gun, or an earring cassette, they have to be disposable. In case you got your piercing with a reusable gun or a reusable instrument, you will be required to wait for three months.

Three-Month Wait Period

The reason behind the wait time is associated with the concerns of hepatitis, which could be easily transmitted from donors to patients through transfusion. All blood donations are thus tested for hepatitis B and hepatitis C, with several tests. However, not always are these tests are perfect, thus the three-month period is given.

What Dangers Loom Over?

Donating blood after getting a tattoo can be dangerous as unclean tattoo needle could carry bloodborne viruses, which are hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV. In 2020, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) updated its guideline, making the wait time shorter from one year to three months. This is because if you contract a bloodborne illness, it could be detectable within the period of 3 months.

What else makes you ineligible to donate blood?

There are other reasons why you may not be allowed to donate blood. As per the American Red Cross, you are not allowed to donate blood if you have

• hepatitis B or C
• HIV
• Chagas disease, which is a parasitic infection that kissing bugs cause
• leishmaniasis, a parasitic infection that sand flies cause
• Cruetzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD), a rare disorder that leads to mental deterioration
• Ebola virus
• hemochromatosis, which means extreme build up of iron
• hemophilia
• jaundice
• sickle cell disease

As per the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Blood Bank, these conditions make you permanently ineligible from donating blood.

While there are certain conditions that makes your permanently ineligible, there are other conditions that makes you temporarily ineligible from donating blood. These include:

• If you have a bleeding condition, and have issues with your blood clotting
• If you have received transfusion from a person
• If you have cancer. Here, the eligibility depend son the type of cancer you have
• If you have recently underwent a dental or oral surgery. In such a case, you would have to wait for three days
• If you had a recent heart attack, heart surgery or angina. You must wait for 6 months
• If you are pregnant, you can only donate blood after 6 months after delivering your child

If flu symptoms such as fever, chills, coughing, a sore throat or a pounding headache start to creep in, many people assume the best option is to stay in bed and let it pass.

But even if you have managed the flu on your own in the past, this time it may be worth calling your doctor. That’s because antiviral flu medicines, including Tamiflu, can sometimes make a real difference.

Certain prescription drugs can shorten how long the flu lasts and lower the risk of serious complications, but timing is critical. Here’s how to work out whether flu antivirals could help you or someone close to you.

What Are Flu Antivirals?

Flu antivirals are prescription medicines designed to help the body fight off the influenza virus. “They work by stopping the flu virus from multiplying and spreading through the body. Influenza is the virus that causes the flu,” explained Deon Pilkington, PharmD, a clinical pharmacy coordinator as per Banner Health.

These medications do not cure the flu, but they may:

• Reduce how long symptoms last
• Lessen the intensity of illness
• Lower the risk of complications such as pneumonia or hospital admission
• Common flu antivirals taken by mouth include:
• Tamiflu (oseltamivir)
• Relenza (zanamivir)
• Xofluza (baloxavir)
• Another option, Rapivab (peramivir), is given through an intravenous (IV) infusion.

All flu antivirals require a prescription and are most effective when started within the first one to two days after symptoms appear. That’s why reaching out to a healthcare provider early can matter.

Antibiotics should not be used to treat the flu. “Because influenza is caused by a virus, antibiotics won’t help,” said Mallory Yan, PharmD, a pharmacist with Banner Health.

Who Is Most Likely To Benefit From Flu Antivirals?

Not everyone who gets the flu needs prescription treatment. “These medications are generally reserved for people who have confirmed flu and are at higher risk for complications,” Dr. Pilkington said.

You should contact a doctor promptly if you or someone you care for falls into one of these categories:

• Adults aged 65 and older
• Children under 5, especially those younger than 2
• Pregnant women or those who have recently given birth
• People with chronic illnesses such as asthma, diabetes or heart disease
• Individuals with weakened immune systems
• Residents of nursing homes, group homes or long-term care facilities
• Anyone whose symptoms are severe or worsening

Even healthy individuals may be prescribed antivirals if they live with someone at high risk. Limiting the spread of flu in households where complications could be serious is important.

When Should You Call Your Doctor?

If you are at higher risk, it’s best to contact your doctor as soon as flu symptoms begin. Starting treatment within 48 hours offers the greatest benefit.

Warning signs may include:

• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain or pressure
• Fever that does not improve with over-the-counter medication
• Chills
• Body aches
• Extreme tiredness or weakness
• Dizziness
• Confusion
• Vomiting
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Headache
• Signs of dehydration, such as reduced urination or a dry mouth

If you test positive for flu or feel seriously unwell, do not delay. Beginning antiviral treatment within the first two days gives you the best chance of recovering faster and avoiding complications.

Early Action Makes A Difference

If you’re wondering, “Do I need Tamiflu?” remember that flu antivirals are most helpful when taken early, ideally within the first day or two after symptoms begin. Acting quickly can change how the illness unfolds.

Symptoms such as constant exhaustion, mental fog, and occasional tingling in the hands or feet are often dismissed as stress or simply getting older. However, these signs can point to underlying nutrient deficiencies, including vitamin B12, iron, and folate (vitamin B9). These nutrients play a crucial role in brain health, nerve function, and carrying oxygen around the body.

Lack Of This Vitamin Deficiency Can Lead To Exhaustion

When ignored, these symptoms can quietly worsen. They are often your body’s way of signalling problems with nerve health, oxygen supply, and overall energy levels, which can make even simple daily activities feel harder than they should. According to the Daily Mail, around 15 per cent of people aged 15 to 29, and about 20 per cent of those over 60, have vitamin levels that are not low enough to be classed as a deficiency but are still insufficient to cause noticeable symptoms.

What Is Vitamin B12?

Vitamin B12 allows the brain to transmit signals properly and helps protect the nerves. When levels drop, people may notice memory lapses, poor concentration, or balance problems. In older adults, this can raise the risk of falls. Some individuals sit in a borderline range, where levels are not low enough to be diagnosed as deficient but are still enough to cause symptoms.

Certain people face a higher risk. Vegans are vulnerable because B12 is found mainly in animal products such as milk, meat, eggs, and fish. As people age, their ability to absorb B12 often declines due to lower stomach acid. Long-term use of acid-suppressing drugs, including proton pump inhibitors, can further reduce absorption, meaning supplements or injections may be needed.

Iron Is Important

Iron is essential for making haemoglobin, the substance in red blood cells that carries oxygen through the body. When iron levels are low, oxygen transport is reduced, and tissues with high energy needs, such as the brain and nerves, are affected first. This can lead to dizziness, weakness, and cold hands and feet.

Iron works closely with folate and vitamin B12 to support red blood cell production. A shortage of any one of these nutrients can limit how well oxygen is delivered, making tasks like climbing stairs or keeping warm feel far more draining. In the UK, iron deficiency affects around 3 per cent of men and 8 per cent of women.

Folate

Folate is important for cell development and the production of red blood cells. Levels have been falling in recent years, with teenagers showing particularly high rates of deficiency. Women of reproductive age are especially at risk, as low folate levels early in pregnancy can raise the chance of neural tube defects.

To address this, the UK government plans to add folic acid to white flour by the end of 2026, covering common foods such as bread and baked goods. Folate can also be found naturally in leafy green vegetables, beans, and citrus fruits.

Blood tests are the most reliable way to confirm whether a deficiency is present. Iron levels can be difficult to correct through diet alone because the body tightly controls absorption, so supplements are often needed, particularly for people with heavy periods or digestive problems. Folate deficiency is usually easier to correct with dietary changes or supplements.

Boosting vitamin B12 depends on the cause. Vegans often need supplements, while older adults or people taking acid-reducing medication long term may need higher doses or injections.

Leaving deficiencies untreated can allow symptoms to linger and, in some cases, lead to lasting nerve damage. The positive news is that once a deficiency is identified and treated, many people begin to feel better within weeks. Energy, focus, and overall well-being often return quickly, bringing noticeable improvements to everyday life.

President Donald Trump has said he takes a daily aspirin dose that is higher than what his doctors advise and has done so for the past 25 years. He made the remarks during a wide-ranging interview with The Wall Street Journal, published on Thursday.

“They tell me aspirin helps thin the blood, and I don’t want thick blood moving through my heart,” Trump, 79, told the newspaper. “I want thin blood flowing through my heart. That sounds right, doesn’t it?”

The president takes 325 milligrams of aspirin every day, which equals one standard adult over-the-counter tablet. This amount is four times higher than the commonly recommended 81 milligram low-dose aspirin often used to help prevent heart disease.

Can Taking Too Much Aspirin Really Cause Hand Bruises?

As per NPR News, since 2022, the US Preventive Services Task Force, the country’s leading panel on disease prevention, has advised that adults over 60 should not begin taking daily aspirin to prevent heart disease if they do not already have an underlying condition. The panel also said it is reasonable for people who are already on preventive aspirin to consider stopping around the age of 75.

What Is Aspirin, And What Is It Used For?

Aspirin belongs to the same group of drugs as ibuprofen and naproxen. At low doses, it reduces the production of a substance that helps blood clots form. The medication is widely used to treat headaches and other pain in adults. It is also taken preventively, as Trump does, by roughly one in seven older Americans.

Ideal Dose For Aspirin

Specialists generally recommend 81 milligrams of aspirin per day for people who need it to lower their risk of heart disease. This dose was once referred to as “baby aspirin,” though aspirin is no longer advised for regular use in children. Doctors favor the lower dose rather than Trump’s 325 milligrams because studies show there is no added benefit from taking more. A large study published in 2021 supported this conclusion.

“There is some evidence that if someone has already tolerated 325 milligrams for years, the extra risk compared to 81 milligrams is probably quite small,” says Dr Eleanor Levin, a preventive cardiologist at Stanford Medicine. “But the higher dose really isn’t necessary.”

Some people are advised to stay on low-dose aspirin for life, regardless of age. This includes patients who have had bypass surgery or a heart attack. Levin also recommends aspirin for certain people with silent coronary artery disease, where arteries are narrowed without obvious symptoms.

Trump was diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency in July. A memo released by the White House in December stated that his cardiovascular system remains in “excellent health.”

Common Side Effects Of Aspirin

Although aspirin is considered safer than many other blood thinners, it still raises the risk of bleeding in the stomach and brain, even at low doses. These complications are uncommon and rarely fatal.

The risk of bleeding increases with age, and alcohol can raise it further. Aspirin can also cause milder bleeding issues, such as easy bruising or small cuts. Trump has experienced both, and his doctor linked these symptoms to aspirin use, according to a White House memo released in July. Levin says this is not unusual or alarming.

“This actually shows the drug is doing what it’s supposed to do,” Levin says. “As people reach their late 70s and 80s, the skin becomes thinner and more fragile. Patients often come in with bruises on their arms and don’t recall bumping into anything.”

During the Journal interview, Trump also addressed questions about his hearing and sleep, which he largely brushed off. While hearing loss becomes more common with age, aspirin can sometimes cause ringing in the ears, known as tinnitus. Its effect on sleep is less clear.

Is Taking Aspirin Dangerous?

Levin says Trump’s long-term use of a higher aspirin dose is unlikely to be life-threatening, though she does not advise most patients to take more than recommended. She explains that doses above 2,400 milligrams, once used to treat arthritis, are considered high-dose aspirin and carry much greater risks.

“I’m sure his doctors have told him that,” Levin says. “There’s no need to panic.” She says her own approach is different. “We talk through the risks and benefits. We look at the evidence and the research, and my patients follow that guidance.”