Blood donation is a selfless act that provides life-saving support for countless patients in need. Many individuals wonder if their personal health conditions might prevent them from contributing to the blood supply. These concerns are common, and understanding the guidelines helps potential donors determine their eligibility.
General Blood Donation Eligibility
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) establishes criteria to ensure the safety of both donors and recipients. To donate blood, individuals must be at least 17 years old, or 16 in some states with parental consent, and weigh a minimum of 110 pounds. Donors must be in good general health, feeling well and free from fever or other illness symptoms on the day of donation.
Certain health conditions, medications, or recent activities can lead to temporary or permanent deferral from donating blood. For example, individuals who have recently received tattoos or piercings may need to wait several months before donating. Travel to areas with a high risk of certain infectious diseases, like malaria, can also result in a temporary deferral.
Genital Herpes and Donation Eligibility
A history of genital herpes does not typically prevent an individual from donating blood. The herpes simplex virus (HSV), which causes genital herpes, is not considered a blood-borne pathogen that poses a significant risk through blood transfusions.
Therefore, if a person has a history of genital herpes but is not experiencing an active outbreak or symptoms at the time of donation, they are generally eligible to donate. An active outbreak means having sores, blisters, or other related symptoms.
Unlike some other viruses, HSV is not routinely screened in donated blood for eligibility purposes because it is not typically transmitted in a way that poses a threat to recipients through transfusion. The presence of HSV antibodies in the blood does not affect donation eligibility.
The Blood Donation Screening Process
Before donating blood, every potential donor undergoes a detailed screening process. This process begins with a confidential health history questionnaire, which includes questions about medical conditions, medications, and recent travel. This step identifies factors that might affect eligibility or the safety of the blood supply.
Following the questionnaire, a private interview with a trained health professional occurs to clarify responses and ensure accuracy. A mini-physical examination is also conducted, checking vital signs such as temperature, pulse, and blood pressure. A small blood sample is taken to measure hemoglobin levels, confirming the donor has sufficient iron.
After donation, all collected blood units undergo laboratory testing for several transmissible diseases. These tests include screening for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B and C viruses, West Nile virus, and syphilis. These testing procedures ensure the blood supply remains safe for patients receiving transfusions.