The flu season is in full swing, but what does this mean for blood donations? According to the American Red Cross, a three percent decline in blood donations has been seen in the past two months which is stated to be unusual for this time of year. It is believed that the decrease is due to the H1N1 flu virus may taint the blood if someone with the virus donates. However, extreme precautions are taken to make sure the blood that is donated is useable.

Carol Dembeck, American Red Cross Spokesperson, says that the phlebotomist which is the person drawing the blood, gives a donor a card with a call back number, “If after they have given blood, perhaps they were feeling just fine that day but in the next day or two they started not to feel well or had any other issues, they can call that number and we're able to trace the exact unit of blood that they've given and then we can destroy those products that have been made from that unit of blood."

Though currently the blood inventories are holding steady, the Red Cross warns that this could change in an instant. As long as you are feeling healthy, the Red Cross encourages you to donate at a local blood drive.