when you donate blood do they test for herpes

by Dorris Heathcote 9 min read

There are many reasons why you may be able to donate blood, even if you've had an STD. For example, blood banks don't test for herpes, yeast infections or genital warts.Jun 22, 2022

What STDS Do they check for when you donate blood?

After you have donated, your blood will be tested for syphilis, HIV (the virus that causes AIDS), hepatitis, and HTLV (human T-lymphotropic virus), which can cause a blood or nerve disease.

Can you be a donor if you have herpes?

Can someone with herpes become a donor? Having herpes does not absolutely rule someone out for donation, but the disease should be well-suppressed at the time of donation.

Can you donate blood if you have an STD?

You must wait 12 months after treatment for syphilis or gonorrhea before you are eligible to donate blood. You may donate blood if you have chlamydia, venereal warts (human papilloma virus), or genital herpes and you are feeling healthy and well and meet all other eligibility requirements.

How far away is a cure for herpes?

It will still take a long time before these mice experiments lead to human clinical trials to cure herpes. Dr. Jerome estimates that will be at least three years away.

What triggers herpes outbreaks?

Triggers for recurrence — Illness, stress, sunlight, and fatigue can trigger recurrent herpes outbreaks. In women, menstrual periods may trigger an outbreak. When did I become infected? — The first time a person has noticeable signs or symptoms of herpes may not be the initial episode.

How long after donating blood do they test it?

Test results are transferred electronically to the processing center within 24 hours. If a test result is positive, your donation will be discarded and you will be notified (our test results are confidential and are only shared with the donor, except as may be required by law).

Can you donate blood while on Valtrex?

According to the American Red Cross, individuals taking antiviral medication (acyclovir, valacyclovir, famciclovir) will need to wait 48 hours after their last dose before donating blood. The American Red Cross says those currently experiencing an outbreak of genital herpes should not donate blood.

Can I give blood if I have HPV?

Chlamydia, venereal warts (human papilloma virus), or genital herpes are not a cause for deferral if you are feeling healthy and well and meet all other eligibility requirements. You must weigh at least 110 lbs to be eligible for blood donation for your own safety.

Does herpes disqualify you from donating plasma?

Because plasma is part of your blood, the same rules apply if you have herpes, whether you have HSV-1 or HSV-2: Don't donate plasma if any lesions or sores are actively infected. Wait until they're dry and healed. Don't donate until it's been at least 48 hours since you've finished taking any antiviral treatment.

Can you donate sperm with HSV 2?

Do I Qualify? In order to comply with tissue bank licensing regulations, we cannot accept donor applicants who have been exposed to or infected with HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HTLV, syphilis, genital herpes, or genital warts.

Can herpes be transmitted through blood transfusion?

Conclusions. This study provides strong evidence that HHV-8 is transmitted by blood transfusion. The risk may be diminished as the period of blood storage increases.

Can herpes be transmitted through organ transplant?

HSV infection is a common early infection after organ transplantation, with secretion of virus in the throats of the majority of seropositive individuals. Disease may be more severe, invasive, and prolonged in transplant recipients (84). Transmission of HSV with an allograft has been reported (85).