Q: If the thalassaemia trait (minor) runs in the family and a particular member has been confirmed for the same, then is it advisable for that person to donate blood? What about other family members, can they be potential donors if they don't have the trait?

A:An anaemic patient should defer blood donation till he is asymptomatic. An individual with thalassaemia trait having a haemoglobin value of more than 12.0 g/dl can donate blood, as can all other healthy family members.