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Clearing Doubts Whether Herpes Patients Can Donate Blood



Can herpes patients donate blood? Is their blood safe for transfusing to others, who’re probably suffering from life-threatening conditions under more complex medical issues?

All you need is consciousness in fighting STDS

This is a very valid question in the current circumstances. Mind you it’s just not about herpes but STDs (sexually transmitted diseases) in general. You may be suffering from an STD or you’re STD-free. This curiosity certainly is there in your mind and at STD Check Clinic, we appreciate such curiosities. As a private STD testing centre in London, we believe such curiosities finally contribute to developing consciousness about STDs and how to prevent them.

STD categories

Here’s a point to be noted; herpes and certain other STDs – like HIV – have a sharp distinction. HIV and other similar STDs are caused by viruses present in your blood. On the other hand, herpes is caused by direct skin-to-skin contact with an infected person. Unlike the other STDs, it doesn’t spread from the blood of an infected person.

Yet it is important to follow certain restrictions while collecting blood from donors suffering from herpes.

Restrictions in blood collection from herpes and other STD patients


  • If a donor with herpes is taking any anti-viral medication, it is always better to wait for at least 24 hours after completing the last dose of the medicine before donating blood.
  • Your name will be rejected as a potential donor across most donation centres if you’re currently experiencing the first ever outbreak of the infection. This precaution is necessary because the first outbreak proves havoc for any herpes patients. At this time, it is also possible for a small amount of herpes virus to enter your bloodstream.
  • STD patients suffering from herpes, HPV or chlamydia are usually free to donate blood as long as they feel healthy and fulfill the requirements of a donor. Since HIV and hepatitis transmit through blood, patients suffering from these STDs are barred to donate blood. Even people, who are at risk of developing HIV are prevented from blood donation.

Routine screening at donation centres

The donation centres have responsibilities toward the greater society to shoulder. Thus, they cannot transmit blood donated by people, who are hepatitis and HIV positive. All donated blood is routinely screened for hepatitis, HIV, syphilis and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). This screening is done irrespective of every donor’s self-reporting. Blood that fails the screening is discarded and the respective donors are notified accordingly. 

Patients, who suffered from other curable STDs in the past are eligible to donate blood. Many doctors in London, associated with renowned STD testing clinics, opine it is okay for these people to donate blood after a year of fully getting cured.
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Location: London, UK

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