Can You Donate Blood If You Have an STD? Rules by Infection

You can donate blood if you have had an STD — depending on which infection, your current treatment status, and applicable deferral periods. The rules are specific. Here’s what the FDA and AABB guidelines actually say.

Quick answer: Curable bacterial STDs (chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis) do not permanently disqualify you — you can typically donate after completing treatment. HIV and active hepatitis B or C are permanent deferrals. Herpes does not affect donation eligibility. Donating blood does not expose you to any STD — single-use needles are used for every donor. Same-day testing if you need to check your status first: Los Angeles, Dallas, Miami, New York City, Washington DC.

Eligibility by Infection

Chlamydia and gonorrhea: No permanent deferral. You can donate after completing antibiotic treatment. There is no mandated waiting period once treatment is confirmed complete.

Syphilis: Deferral during active infection. Once treatment is complete and follow-up blood tests confirm adequate serological response, donation is generally permitted. Contact the blood bank for current deferral specifics — these rules are periodically updated.

HIV: Permanent deferral. People with HIV cannot donate blood regardless of viral load or treatment status. This is a recipient safety measure, not a judgment about the donor.

Hepatitis B (chronic or active): Permanent deferral. People who resolved acute hepatitis B and developed protective surface antibody may be eligible in limited circumstances — contact the blood bank directly.

Hepatitis C: Permanent deferral in the US if you have ever tested positive for hepatitis C antibodies, even if successfully treated and now HCV-RNA negative.

Herpes (HSV-1 or HSV-2): Not a deferral criterion. Herpes does not transmit through blood. People with herpes can donate. Active outbreaks may prompt a temporary deferral until resolved.

HPV: Not a deferral criterion.

The 2023 FDA Policy Change

The FDA replaced the MSM-specific deferral with an individual risk-based assessment applying equally to all donors regardless of sexual orientation. The new criteria defer any donor who has had a new sexual partner or multiple partners in the past 3 months and did not use a condom consistently. This shifts from identity-based to behaviour-based screening.

When to Seek Care

• If you received a notification of a reactive test result after donating: follow up with your GP or the blood bank’s referral service for confirmatory testing the same week.

• If you’re uncertain about your STD status before donating: get tested first. Confidential same-day testing is available at sexual health clinics across the US.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does donating blood expose me to STDs?

No. A new, sterile, single-use needle is used for every donor and immediately discarded. There is no shared equipment between donors. It is not possible to acquire any infection from donating blood in a regulated facility.

Will the blood bank test me for STDs?

All donated blood is screened for HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, syphilis, and other pathogens. If a reactive result is detected, you will be notified. However, donation is not a substitute for clinical STD testing — it does not screen for chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes, or HPV.

If I had chlamydia last year and was treated, can I donate?

Yes, in most cases. Treated and resolved chlamydia is not a deferral criterion for blood donation in the US. The blood bank may ask about your history on the intake form; answer honestly and they will advise if any deferral applies to your specific situation.

Related: Can Donating Blood Expose You to STDs? · Chlamydia Treatment · Hepatitis B · Get tested today →