The question of whether a person with herpes simplex virus (HSV-1 or HSV-2) can donate blood is a common concern. Herpes simplex viruses, which cause both oral cold sores and genital lesions, are widespread. Having a history of HSV-1 or HSV-2 does not automatically prevent an individual from donating blood. Eligibility is determined by the donor’s current health status and the presence of an active outbreak at the time of the donation appointment.
General Eligibility for Herpes Simplex Donors
Individuals with a history of herpes simplex virus (HSV-1 or HSV-2) are generally eligible to donate blood. The key requirement is that the virus must be in its dormant or latent phase, meaning the donor is completely asymptomatic and feeling well on the day of the appointment. This applies even to those who have a history of recurrent cold sores or genital outbreaks, provided they are not currently experiencing symptoms.
A latent HSV infection is not a cause for permanent deferral from blood donation. Blood organizations focus on the donor’s overall health and the absence of active infection or systemic illness. A donor with a history of HSV who is symptom-free is treated the same as any other potential donor.
Routine screening for HSV is not performed on donated blood, unlike viruses such as Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) or Hepatitis B and C. This policy reflects that herpes simplex is not considered a significant transfusion-transmitted infection risk. A history of this common virus does not compromise the safety or integrity of the blood supply.
Individuals who take daily prophylactic oral antiviral medications, such as Acyclovir, to suppress outbreaks are still eligible to donate blood, provided they are not immunosuppressed. The medication itself does not prevent donation; the primary eligibility concern remains the presence of an active viral outbreak.
When an Outbreak Requires Temporary Deferral
While a history of herpes does not disqualify a donor, an active outbreak requires a temporary postponement of the donation. A deferral is triggered by the presence of fresh lesions, such as active cold sores around the mouth or blisters in the genital area. This temporary disqualification protects both the donor and the recipient by minimizing any theoretical risk of transmission.
Donation centers require that the lesion be completely healed, dry, and symptom-free before a person can donate. For oral cold sores, the sore must be fully crusted or healed. Some centers may also require a waiting period, such as 48 hours, after all symptoms have resolved, to ensure the outbreak is fully cleared.
Systemic symptoms that sometimes accompany a primary or severe recurrent outbreak, such as fever or general malaise, will also lead to a deferral. The donor must feel well and healthy on the day of donation, which is a standard requirement for all blood donors.
If a person has recently taken antiviral medication to treat an active outbreak, some centers may require a brief waiting period, often 48 hours, following the last dose. This waiting period ensures the donor is fully recovered from the acute illness, which is the main concern.
Why Herpes Poses Minimal Risk to the Blood Supply
The regulatory and scientific rationale for allowing blood donation from asymptomatic HSV carriers stems from the minimal risk the virus poses to the blood supply. Unlike bloodborne pathogens that circulate freely in the plasma, the herpes simplex virus is a cell-associated virus. Once the initial infection phase passes, HSV establishes a latent infection in the sensory nerve ganglia and does not typically circulate in the bloodstream at high levels.
The virus’s biological nature means it is not efficiently transmitted via blood transfusion, and there are no documented cases of herpes transmission through donated blood. Blood banks prioritize screening for pathogens like HIV, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C because these viruses are highly transmissible through transfusion and can cause severe chronic disease.
Furthermore, standard blood processing techniques, such as the separation of blood components and leukoreduction (the removal of white blood cells), further reduce the theoretical risk. Since HSV is primarily found within cells, removing the white blood cells, which can harbor the virus, acts as an additional safety measure. The primary concern during an active outbreak is less about massive transmission risk and more about the donor’s general health.