Some Reasons for Blood Donation Deferral or Denial*

Infections and risks of infection

HIV infection

Denial

Includes any individual who has ever had a positive test for HIV infection

Includes any individual who has ever taken any medication to treat HIV infection

Activities that increase risk of HIV infection†

Deferral

Wait for 2 years from last use of any medication given by injection to prevent HIV infection (ie, long-acting antiviral PrEP or PEP)

Wait for 3 months from the last use of any medication by mouth (oral) to prevent HIV infection (ie, antiviral PrEP or PEP)

Wait for 3 months from last time high-risk activity has taken place. Activities include:

• Nonprescription injection drug use

• Engagement in sex for money or drugs

• New sexual partner or more than one sexual partner in the last 3 months and engaged in anal sex in the last 3 months

• Sexual contact with a person who ever had a positive HIV test

• Sexual contact with a person who used nonprescription injection drugs in the past 3 months or a person who engaged in sex for money or drugs in the past 3 months

• Contact with blood of another individual through a percutaneous needle stick or through contact with a donor’s open wound or mucous membranes

• Completion of treatment for syphilis or gonorrhea

• Tattoo, ear, or body piercing unless done by a state-regulated entity with sterile needles and non-reused ink, or done using single-use equipment

Ebola virus

Denial

Denial based on possible persistent infection, high risk of transmission, and lack of screening test

Hepatitis exposure

Deferral

Wait 12 months after possible exposure

Hepatitis B or C infection

Denial

Ineligible to donate if ever diagnosed with viral hepatitis B or C, or if ever tested positive for viral hepatitis B or C

Malaria or exposure to malaria

Deferral

Wait 3 years after treatment for malaria or living in an area in which malaria is endemic; wait 3 months after visit to an area in which malaria is endemic

Transfusion

Deferral

Wait 3 months after a transfusion done in the United States

Vaccinations (selected)

Deferral

Waiting period depends on vaccination:

• Toxoids or synthetic or killed viral, bacterial, or rickettsial vaccines‡ in symptom-free and afebrile donors: No deferral

• Measles, mumps, polio (Sabin), or typhoid (oral) vaccines§: Defer for 2 weeks

• Rubella or varicella vaccines§: Defer for 4 weeks

Zika virus infection

Deferral

For recent Zika virus infection, the US FDA recommends a 120-day deferral from resolution of symptoms or the last positive test, whichever is longer

Cancer

Cancers involving blood cells (eg, leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma)

Denial

Such people cannot donate even if they are cancer-free

Other cancers (ie, not involving blood cells)

Deferral

People may donate if they are cancer-free and treatment was completed more than 12 months previously

People with mild, treatable forms (eg, small skin cancers) that have been completely removed may be able to donate before 12 months

Other

Anemia

Deferral

Donation permitted after anemia resolves

Congenital bleeding disorder

Denial

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Heart disease

Deferral

Any heart disease must be medically evaluated and treated, and the person should have no heart-related symptoms within the last 6 months

Hypertension

Deferral

Defer donation until blood pressure is controlled

Major surgery, if recent

Deferral

Deferral based mainly on likely perioperative transfusion or the underlying reason for surgery

Medications (selected)

Deferral

Waiting period depends on medication, for example:

• Finasteride: Defer for 1 month after last doseFinasteride: Defer for 1 month after last dose

• Isotretinoin: Defer for 1 month after last doseIsotretinoin: Defer for 1 month after last dose

• Dutasteride: Defer for 6 months after last doseDutasteride: Defer for 6 months after last dose

• Acitretin: Defer for 3 years after last doseAcitretin: Defer for 3 years after last dose

• Etretinate: Defer indefinitely

Pregnancy

Deferral

Wait 6 weeks after giving birth