Can you donate blood if you have herpes?

Whether or not you can donate blood if you have herpes depends on the type of herpes and when you last had an outbreak.

If you have herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), which typically causes oral herpes (cold sores), you are generally eligible to donate blood. However, if you have an active herpes outbreak or have had one in the past 28 days, you will not be eligible to donate blood.

If you have herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), which typically causes genital herpes, you may be permanently deferred from donating blood, depending on the policies of the blood donation centre. This is because genital herpes is a sexually transmitted infection (STI), and blood donation centres may have policies that prohibit individuals with STIs from donating blood.

It is important to note that blood donation centres may have different eligibility criteria and policies, so it is best to contact your local blood donation centre for more information and to discuss your specific situation.