Egg donation involves a rigorous screening process to protect the health of the donor, recipient, and potential child. Requirements cover infectious diseases, genetic history, and physical and psychological well-being. A common concern is how a history of Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) impacts eligibility. A history of HSV does not automatically disqualify a donor, but it introduces specific medical conditions that must be met.
Eligibility Status for Donors with Herpes
A history of Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV), including HSV-1 (oral cold sores) and HSV-2 (genital herpes), generally does not make a woman permanently ineligible. The virus lives latently in nerve cells and is not transmitted through the egg cells themselves, meaning it cannot be passed to a recipient through the donated oocytes. Clinics maintain strict rules regarding the virus’s activity level during the donation cycle. An active herpes outbreak, whether oral or genital, is an immediate disqualifier. If an outbreak occurs during screening or hormone stimulation, the cycle is typically postponed or canceled.
The specific type of herpes can influence a clinic’s decision, though policies vary widely. HSV-1, common in the general population, is less likely to cause exclusion than HSV-2. Some programs accept donors with HSV-2 if they have infrequent or mild outbreaks, while others have a blanket policy against it. Donors must be transparent about the frequency and severity of past outbreaks. Clinics may require a certain period without an outbreak or consider consistent adherence to suppressive antiviral therapy to manage the risk of viral reactivation.
Medical Rationale for Screening
The primary medical concern driving strict screening is the theoretical risk of viral transmission to the recipient or laboratory staff during retrieval. Although the virus is not in the egg, the procedure involves a physical examination and invasive surgery. An active lesion on or near the genital area creates a potential pathway for viral contamination of equipment or the environment.
Preparatory medications for egg donation also require caution. Donors undergo ovarian stimulation using high doses of hormones. The stress and hormonal changes associated with this process could theoretically trigger viral reactivation in a person with latent HSV.
The medical community operates under a precautionary principle to ensure the highest level of safety. Federal guidelines mandate screening to eliminate risk factors for infectious disease transmission during the transfer of human tissue. A physical examination is required prior to donation to rule out any visible genital ulcerative lesions or other evidence of sexually transmitted diseases.
The Donor Screening and Testing Process
The first step in determining HSV status involves a comprehensive medical questionnaire and interview with a medical professional. The potential donor must disclose their full sexual history, including any past diagnosis or suspicion of herpes, as well as the use of any antiviral medications. This historical information is crucial for the clinical team’s risk assessment.
Laboratory testing for HSV is conducted through serological blood work, which focuses on detecting antibodies the body has produced in response to the virus. This testing is designed to differentiate between past exposure and a potentially active or recent infection. The two main types of antibodies measured are Immunoglobulin G (IgG) and Immunoglobulin M (IgM).
A positive IgG test indicates a past exposure, meaning the virus is latent in the body, which is the most common result for HSV-1 and HSV-2. A positive IgM result suggests a more recent or possibly active infection, which typically leads to temporary or permanent disqualification. Clinics use these antibody profiles to determine if a past exposure is safe to proceed with, provided there is no clinical evidence of an active outbreak.
The medical team will also perform a physical examination to visually inspect for any signs of active lesions. If a donor tests positive for HSV antibodies but has no history of active symptoms, the clinic will usually proceed, but with close monitoring. If an outbreak occurs during the cycle, the donor may be placed on suppressive therapy, and the donation will be postponed until the lesions have fully healed and the risk of viral shedding has passed.