Hepatitis C (HCV) is a viral infection that primarily targets the liver. While historically a diagnosis often led to chronic illness, modern medicine now offers a cure for the vast majority of infected people. Despite this medical achievement, the question of whether a person cured of Hepatitis C can donate blood is complex and determined by strict regulatory policy. In the United States, current regulations maintain an indefinite deferral for individuals with a history of HCV infection, regardless of their cured status, to maintain the highest safety standards for the blood supply.
Medical Definition of Cure: Sustained Virologic Response
The medical community defines a cure for Hepatitis C using the term Sustained Virologic Response (SVR). Achieving SVR means the Hepatitis C virus is no longer detectable in the blood, confirmed by testing for viral RNA twelve weeks or more after completing treatment with direct-acting antiviral (DAA) medications. These DAA treatments are highly effective, curing more than 95% of patients.
Attaining SVR means the person cannot transmit the infection to others, rendering them non-infectious. This status halts virus-related liver damage, often leading to improvements in liver health and function. SVR is considered a permanent virologic cure.
Specific Eligibility Criteria for Blood Donation
Despite the medical reality of a cure, individuals with a history of Hepatitis C infection face an indefinite deferral from donating blood under U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations. The FDA requires the indefinite deferral of individuals who have had HCV or Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection at any age, regardless of whether the infection was successfully treated. This policy prioritizes maximum safety for the blood supply.
The regulatory framework considers a past infection with HCV a permanent risk factor, even if the person is no longer actively infectious. Blood donation centers, including the American Red Cross, adhere to this federal guidance. Therefore, a history of a positive HCV test result generally prevents blood donation, even with highly effective curative therapies and advanced testing capabilities available.
Navigating the Screening Tests
A unique challenge arises for a person who has achieved SVR during the standard blood donation screening process. The initial screening is typically a test for the Hepatitis C Antibody (HCV Ab), which detects antibodies produced by the immune system in response to the virus. Since these antibodies can persist indefinitely, even after the virus is cleared, a cured donor will likely remain antibody positive.
A positive antibody result acts as a trigger, flagging the donation and leading to an automatic deferral because it indicates a history of infection. To determine if the virus is currently present, a more sensitive test called the Nucleic Acid Test (NAT) is used, which looks for the genetic material (RNA) of the virus. While the NAT for a cured donor would be negative, confirming the absence of the active virus, the initial positive antibody result combined with the federal indefinite deferral rule prevents the donation from proceeding.