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# Infectious diseases, contact with - Whole blood and components

## Essential information

Definition/s

  Infectious diseases are infections that can easily be passed from person to person, either through casual or intimate contact.

Obligatory

  See: is there a specific entry for the condition with which there has been contact?

  Must not donate if:

  Within the incubation period for the condition or, if this is not known, less than 4 weeks from last contact.

Discretionary
  1. If the infection is known to lead to permanent immunity (e.g. chickenpox, measles, mumps, rubella, whooping cough) and there is a definite history of past infection with the disease with which contact has occurred, accept.
  2. Contact with common upper respiratory tract infections such as colds, sore throats, influenza, norovirus and other causes of diarrhoea and vomiting, provided the donor is symptom free, accept.
  3. Contact with skin conditions which are not transmissible by donated material (e.g. scabies, ringworm, tinea), if no signs of infection, accept.
  4. Individuals who have been prescribed prophylactic antibiotics after contact with meningitis, anthrax or chlamydia, provided they are symptom free, accept.

## Supporting information

See if relevant
  - Coronavirus infection
  - Hepatitis
  - Hepatitis A
  - Hepatitis B
  - Hepatitis C
  - Hepatitis E
  - HIV
  - HTLV
  - Non-contagious diseases, contact with
  - Sexually transmitted disease
  - Smallpox immunisation
  - Syphilis
  - Tuberculosis
Additional information

  Many infectious diseases can be passed on through donated material, even before a potential donor develops any symptoms of the infection. This may lead to serious infection in the person receiving a donation.

  Many diseases are not infectious and so are not normally a risk.

  Contacts with meningitis or anthrax are often prescribed prophylactic antibiotics. These should prevent the disease from developing, so provided the potential donor is well, they may be accepted.

  If in doubt, contact a Designated Clinical Support Officer.

Reason for change:
  A discretion has been added for contact with norovirus and other causes of diarrhoea and vomiting.
Version details:

  WB-DSG Edition 203 Release 10 (24 January 2012)

BETA

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