Thursday, March 21, 2024

Can People With Herpes Donate Blood

Myth #: Herpes Outbreaks Are Always Obvious

Introduction to Human Herpesviruses (HHV)

According to the CDC, most people with genital herpes infection do not know they have it. This isnt just an issue with testing its because herpes can often be more subtle and complex than how it was presented in high school health class.

I have a friend who knew he had herpes immediately, because he had hundreds of sores. I have another friend who was shocked to be diagnosed off of one paper-cut like lesion she had suspected was yeast-related. These two anecdotes illustrate how differently herpes can present in each individual. Everybody is unique and has a unique immune system, says Hawkins. could be incredibly mild, where someone thinks its a blemish or ingrown hair, and it could be really apocalyptic, where someone feels the need to go in and see a medical provider and get access to medication.

Also Check: How To Stop Herpes Outbreak When You Feel It Coming

Myth #: You Cant Get Herpes If Youre Not Sexually Active

Herpes can be passed from skin-to-skin contact that isnt sexual in nature, Hawkins tells me. If you look at the leotards that wrestlers wear, if you have upper thigh genital herpes in an area thats low enough that it shows under the leotard, someone can get it, too, Hawkins tells me.

With that said, Hawkins tells me you dont need to worry about getting it from trying on a swimsuit or sharing a towel, because the virus doesnt live outside of the body for long. Now if youre trying on bathing suits without any underwear underneath, there are plenty of wonderful infections that you can get even if herpes is not one of them, she says. People are still strongly advised to make sure theyre using proper hygienic options.

When Cant You Donate Blood

The American Red Crosswarns against donating blood if you have done any of the following in the past three months:

  • Worked as a sex worker
  • Taken Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis or Truvada for preventing HIV
  • Had sex with someone who has HIV, HTLV, or Hepatitis B or C
  • Injected recreational drugs or had sex with someone who injected drugs not prescribed by a doctor

People who do the above are at a higher risk of contracting an STD or other diseases that make blood unsuitable for transfusions. You also shouldnt donate blood if you weigh less than 110 pounds. If you give blood while weighing less than 110 pounds, your weight may drop too quickly and trigger health complications.

People who have the following conditions should also not give blood:

  • Hemochromatosis a hereditary disorder that causes iron salts to accumulate in the tissues, leading to liver damage, diabetes mellitus, and other issues
  • Leukemia, lymphoma, or Hodgkins disease in the past
  • A dura mater transplant
  • A Zika infection in the last four months
  • Ebola at any time in your life
  • Hepatitis B or C or jaundice without an identified cause
  • A trip to a place where malaria is widespread
  • A blood transfusion within the last year

If you have active tuberculosis or any other sickness, you shouldnt donate blood. Thats because donating blood weakens you, which can complicate your recovery. Only donate blood after fully recovering from any sickness you might have.

People on the following medications also cannot donate blood:

Read Also: Herpes Simplex 2 Support Groups

Donating Blood With Herpes: What To Consider

Can you donate blood if you have herpes? Usually, there is no restriction on donating blood for people with herpes. But, you should avoid donating blood during the primary outbreak of the disease . This is because a small quantity of virus can reach the blood during the initial manifestation of symptoms. Furthermore, blood donation is usually not advised during any illness the flu, a primary or repeated herpes outbreak, or otherwise. While you are ill, your body is busy fighting off an infection hence, donating blood during this time may further strain your body.

Its perfectly fine to donate blood during a recurrent herpes outbreak if you are otherwise feeling healthy. According to the guidelines by the American Red Cross about blood donation with herpes, people with oral or genital herpes may donate blood if they otherwise feel healthy and fulfill other eligibility criteria.

Can You Donate Blood If You Have Herpes

Can I Donate Plasma If I Have Herpes

According to the American Red Cross, you can donate blood if you have genital or oral herpes as long as you are otherwise well and have had it for some time. Their donor eligibility guidelines explain that people with HSV are allowed to donate blood unless they have another prohibitive infection, like HIV or hepatitis.

However, according to thisGo Ask Alice column, people having their first herpes outbreak are discouraged from donating, and are asked to wait about a month.

This is because the first time herpes manifests is usually the strongest. There is also a tiny possibility during this period that the virus could enter the bloodstream.

Don’t Miss: How Much Is It To Get Tested For Herpes

Can You Donate Blood If Youre Hiv Positive

While its true that some infections are transmissible through blood transfusions, and the risk is usually very low, its important to understand that this is a rare occurrence. The most common STDs that are transmissible through blood transfusions include HIV , Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C, syphilis, HTLV-1 and other viral pathogens such as West Nile Virus.

Transmission of STDs through blood transfusions is very rare because the screening process for donors includes questions about your medical history as well as testing for infectious diseases like HIV/AIDS. In fact, according to Donate Life America: Blood donations in the U.S. are currently screened for more than 60 different infectious agents at our nations blood banks and transfusion centers but there is no test available today that can detect all possible infectious agents.

Blood banks screen for some STDs before you are allowed to donate blood.

Infected With Herpes Can I Donate Blood

Dear Alice,

Is it safe for someone with herpes to donate blood? I know someone with HIV or hepatitis should not, but what I’ve read suggests that herpes doesn’t hang out in the blood. I used to be a regular donor, but since I contracted herpes some years ago, I’ve stopped. Would it be safe for me to start again?

If you have genital herpes can you still give blood?

Dear readers,

Your thoughtfullness is much appreciated by the recipients of your blood donations! While you are correct that persons infected with HIV or hepatitis are not able to give blood, people who have herpes are generally not restricted from donating. However, during a primary outbreak of herpes , a person infected with herpes should not donate blood. The very first time the symptoms of herpes manifest, it’s possible for a small amount of the virus to enter the bloodstream. Also, it is generally not advisable to donate blood when you’re not feeling well, be it due to a primary or recurrent outbreak of herpes, the flu, or another illness. When you’re sick, your body is already trying to fight off an infection, and giving blood at such a time can put a little extra strain on your body.

A number of other health conditions may impact your ability to donate blood. You can check out the American Red Cross eligibility guidelines to find out more or to look up your specific medical issues and whether you can be a donor.

May 15, 2015Originally published

Read Also: Images Of Genital Herpes Sores

Abdominal Discomfort And Intestinal Diseases

Lactose intolerance, functional abdominal discomfort, heartburn, constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, haemorrhoids and coeliac disease do not prevent blood donation.

However, you may not donate blood if you suffer from an inflammatory intestinal disease such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. In these cases, blood may be donated a year after the end of related symptoms and drug therapy.

Gastroenteritis temporarily prevents donation. At least two weeks must have passed since you stopped having symptoms and taking medication before donating blood.

In the case of parasitic intestinal diseases , at least a month must have passed since you stopped having symptoms and taking medication before donating blood. If you are an asymptomatic carrier of the disease, this does not prevent blood donation.

An infection caused by the Campylobacter prevents donation for a month after the symptoms and treatment have ended.

The majority of stomach medications are also allowed for blood donors. Heartburn medicines, antacids and prophylactic medication used for gastric ulcers do not prevent blood donation. Instead, medication used for the treatment of inflammatory intestinal diseases prevent donation.

See also: H. pylori infection, surgeries and endoscopic procedures

Would you like more information? Please call the free information number for blood donors on +358 800 0 5801 .

Where Can I Give Blood

WHO claims 3.7 billion people infected with herpes virus

If you would like to give blood, to be taken to the Give Blood site and find a session in your area.

*Viremia is the presence of viruses in the bloodstream**Gingivostomatitis is an infection of the mouth and gums that children often develop after being exposed to the HSV-1 virus for the first time.

Read Also: How To Soothe Herpes Sores

General And Local Anaesthesia

Depending on the scope of the procedure, type of surgery and your recovery speed, procedures performed under general anaesthesia or epidural anaesthesia prevent you from donating blood for one to six months.

Minor procedures performed under local anaesthesia prevent blood donation for one to four weeks.

Would you like more information? Please call the free information number for blood donors on +358 800 0 5801 .

What Do They Test For

From age and weight up to medical history and medicine intake, there is a lot of information that must be screened for. Lets talk about age, weight, and blood type.

How old do you have to be to be eligible for plasma donation? Generally, donors must be at least 17 years of age. Younger individuals can also do it if given parental consent. You must also weigh at least 110 lbs or more. Male donors need to weigh around 110-118 lbs, depending on the height and age. Female donors have a wider weight requirement scale of 110-145 lbs.

All blood types are eligible for it. However, type AB is the ideal candidate because it is universal. It means that it can be administered to patients in need of plasma regardless of type. This is why the Red Cross Organization drives are called AB Elite Plasma Donation.

Next, you must pass two medical examinations. It includes medical history screening and tests for transmissible viruses. These tests will determine if youre healthy enough to donate. Theyll determine if its safe for recipients to receive your plasma by ensuring that you do not harbor transmissible diseases.

For a comprehensive list of eligibility requirements for blood and plasma donation, visit this page on Red Cross Organizations website.

You May Like: What Is The Most Accurate Test For Herpes

Person Who Is On Aspirin And Has Taken It In Within Last 48 Hour

If a person is taking certain medications, they should wait before making any kind of blood donation. According to the American Red Cross, some medications that can affect blood donation include aspirin, antibiotics, bovine insulin, blood thinner, dutasteride, thalidomide, isotretinoin, hepatitis B immune globulin, acitretin, and etretinate. People with these medicines should wait before giving blood if theyve recently had these medicines.

Your Good Health: Blood Donations Possible If You Have Herpes Simplex 1 Or 2

Studies

Dear Dr. Roach: If a person has been exposed to herpes 1 and 2, can that person be a blood donor? Could a person catch herpes by sitting on a toilet seat that has been used by an infected person? Are scientists working on a cure for herpes?

Anon.

There remains a stigma against people with genital herpes, which is almost always caused by herpes simplex virus type 2.

However, most people with genital herpes will not have major disruptions to their lives provided they take some precautions.

First off, a person with herpes simplex virus type 1 or HSV-2 certainly can donate blood.

Second, being exposed doesnt guarantee infection.

Third, blood testing is not perfect. Fourth, getting any kind of sexually transmitted infection from a toilet seat is very unlikely.

Herpes viruses have a very difficult time getting through intact skin, which is why most exposures come through mucus membranes, especially of the genitals and mouth.

There is a type of herpes in wrestlers, called herpes gladiatorum or mat herpes, and it can be transmitted from person to person through skin-to-skin contact, especially if the skin is raw or chafed.

Once a person has herpes of either variety, there is no cure.

The virus stays in the nerve cells. There is extensive work being done both on preventing transmission and curing existing infections, but herpes viruses are very good at escaping the immune system. This makes herpes difficult to treat.

J.E.

Donât Miss: What Does Herpes Leg Pain Feel Like

You May Like: Can Someone With Herpes Donate Plasma

What Do I Do If I Find Out I Have Herpes

Its normal to have lots of different feelings after you find out that you have herpes. You might feel mad, embarrassed, ashamed, or upset at first. But youll probably feel a lot better as time goes by, and you see that having herpes doesnt have to be a big deal. People with herpes have relationships and live totally normal lives. There are treatments for herpes, and theres a lot you can do to make sure you dont give herpes to anyone you have sex with.

Millions and millions of people have herpes youre definitely not alone. Most people get at least one STD in their lifetime, and having herpes or another STD is nothing to feel ashamed of or embarrassed about. It doesnt mean youre dirty or a bad person it means youre a normal human who got a really common infection. The reality is that herpes can happen to anybody who has ever been kissed on the lips or had sex thats a LOT of people.

Herpes isnt deadly and it usually doesnt cause any serious health problems. While herpes outbreaks can be annoying and painful, the first flare-up is usually the worst. For many people, outbreaks happen less over time and may eventually stop completely. Even though the virus hangs around in your body for life, it doesnt mean youll be getting sores all the time.

And tell anyone you have sex with that you have herpes. Its not the easiest conversation, but its an important one. Here are some tips:

Why Is Testing For Genital Herpes Only Recommended For People Who Have Symptoms

CDC recommends herpes testing for people who have genital symptoms for herpes to confirm that they are infected. These events are called having an outbreak, and they appear as blisters on or around the genitals, rectum, or mouth. The blisters break and leave painful sores that may take weeks to heal. Testing allows a doctor to talk with you about what to expect in the future, which medications are available to help manage any symptoms, and how you can lower your risk of spreading the infection to your sex partner.

If you have a partner with genital herpes, testing can tell if you also have the virus. If you are not infected, your doctor can talk to you about ways to lower your risk of getting genital herpes. If you are a pregnant woman and have a partner with genital herpes, it is very important to get tested. If you get genital herpes during pregnancy your baby could also become infected. Herpes infections in babies can be life-threatening. If you are infected, your doctor will talk to you about your diagnosis and the possible symptoms of genital herpes. In addition, herpes blood testing may be useful if you are seeking a complete STD exam, especially if you have multiple sex partners.

Recommended Reading: How To Test For Herpes Without An Outbreak

Diseases Due To Transmissible Viruses

Individuals who have fallen ill due to the viral infection listed below are not eligible or must pass certain requirements to be eligible:

  • Ebola Virus infection
  • Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C or unexplained jaundice
  • Hepatitis Exposure, like exposure to someone who has hepatitis B or hepatitis C
  • HIV/AIDS If you had a positive test or if you are at risk for AIDS infection in the past 3 months. It includes if you used needles for unprescribed drugs or shared needles with someone else, among other things.
  • Measles Exposure Maybe you were not vaccinated against measles or were recently vaccinated within the last 4 weeks. You cannot donate.
  • Zika Virus You are eligible if your symptoms have been gone for at least 120 days.

Impact Of A Genital Herpes Diagnosis

Who Should BeTested for Herpes?

As a practitioner, you may encounter a variety of responses from individuals who receive a genital herpes diagnosis, ranging from indifference to devastation. Some may display strong emotions and anxiety due to how they perceive the infection and the stigma associated with it.

Common psychological, social and sexual distress reactions may include:

  • shame, guilt, anger
  • anxiety over impact on fertility/childbearing
  • depression, low self-esteem and resulting isolation
  • fear of being judged, stigmatized, rejected by partners
  • confusion, denial
  • inability to disclose genital herpes status resulting in concealment

These emotional sequelae may deter individuals from seeking further care, disclosing their status to sexual partners, or even engaging fully in their everyday lives. For example, low self-esteem may decrease the feeling of desirability and adversely affects romantic and sexual relationships. Some feel they are no longer appealing or worthy of a loving relationship as a result of having the infection.Footnote 1Footnote 11Footnote 12

The goal of supportive counselling is to help individuals:

Also Check: Can Herpes 1 Be Treated

You May Like: How Do You Spread Herpes

Do They Test For Std When Donating Blood

Now that you know some of the reasons why blood banks screen for STDs, you may be wondering whether its possible to donate if you have an STD. The answer is yes, but there are some things to keep in mind. Most important of these is that screening for STDs is not 100% effectivewhich means that its still possible for a person with an STD to donate blood and pass on their infection.

Screening is only meant to protect the blood supply and those who use it: donors themselves can get infections from donating, which makes them ineligible while recipients could contract a new infection if they receive infected blood.

In addition to protecting the health of everyone involved in transfusions, including yourself should you need one someday , keeping screenings up-to-date helps keep your local hospital running smoothly by preventing any outbreaks from spreading through their facilities or equipment used during transfusions.

The test for syphilis may not detect it early enough.

Although the blood test for syphilis is 99% accurate, it can be difficult to detect early-stage symptoms of the disease. If you have had a blood test and it came back negative but you think you might still have syphilis, your doctor may recommend repeating the test or using other tests to look for signs of this disease.

At two weeks after exposure, a syphilis test will be extremely accurate.

Popular Articles
Related news