There are many reasons why, at times, you may not be able to give blood. To help save donors from wasted time and wasted journeys, our interactive questions cover the most common reasons that prevent people donating when they attend their appointment. Check you can give blood.

Below are the top reasons that may prevent you giving blood for a period of time.

• Dental treatment

  Any visit to a dentist, any procedure or seen a hygienist in the past 7 days?

• Travel

  Travelled outside the UK (including business) within the past 4 months?

• Feel unwell?

  Chesty cough/cold or an active cold sore?

• Infection

  Within the past 2 weeks?

• Antibiotics

  Taking a course or completed a course in the past 7 days?

• Pregnancy

  Pregnant or had a baby in the last 6 months?

• Cardiovascular

  Have you got or had any heart conditions?

• Piercings/tattoos

  Any visit to a dentist, any procedure or seen a hygienist in the past 7 days?

• Acupuncture

  In the last 4 months?

• On hospital waiting list

  Or currently undergoing medical investigations?

• Infectious disease

  In the last 4 weeks have you been in contact with anyone with an infectious disease?

If any of these reasons apply to you or you have any other health conditions, have travelled out of the country recently, or if you answer "yes" to any question on your Donor Health Check questionnaire, please call 0300 123 23 23 or check the Health, Eligibility & Travel section for further advice on whether this affects you donating blood.