Yes, you can donate blood even if you have herpes — but only if youre not having an outbreak of symptoms and if its been more than 48 hours since you finished an antiviral treatment.

Can herpes be passed through blood?

Fact about herpes: Herpes is not present in the blood. People with genital herpes can still donate blood. Genital herpes is only passed through direct skin-to-skin contact, both orally and genitally.

Do they test for herpes when donating blood?

According to the guidelines by the American Red Cross about blood donation with herpes, people with oral or genital herpes may donate blood if they otherwise feel healthy and fulfill other eligibility criteria.

Do they check your blood when you donate?

If the donor is eligible to donate, the donated blood is tested for blood type (ABO group) and Rh type (positive or negative). All blood for transfusion is tested for evidence of certain infectious disease pathogens, such as hepatitis B and C viruses and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Has anyone died giving blood?

In this review of common and uncommon donor reactions and injuries, donation-associated deaths were found to be extremely rare and generally thought to be coincidental; the rate of coincidental deaths was less than what would be expected based on life insurance tables.

Can you give blood if you have HPV?

If you contracted syphilis or gonorrhea, wait three months following completion of your treatment to donate blood. If you have chlamydia, HPV, or genital herpes, you can still donate blood if you meet the other eligibility requirements.