References UK clinical guidance from the NHS, the British HIV Association (BHIVA), and the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH). Last updated: April 2026.
Yes, you can usually donate blood if you have herpes. NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) does not permanently exclude people with herpes simplex virus (HSV-1 or HSV-2) from giving blood. You just need to wait until any active outbreak has fully healed before donating.
This is a common question, and the answer is more straightforward than most people expect. Here’s what you need to know about herpes and blood donation in the UK.
The Short Answer
You can donate blood if you have herpes, provided:
- You’re not currently having an active outbreak (cold sores or genital blisters)
- Any recent sores have fully healed
- You feel well on the day of donation
- You’re not currently taking antiviral medication for an active outbreak (daily suppressive therapy is usually fine, but check with the donation centre)
Herpes is not transmitted through blood transfusion. The virus lives in nerve cells and is spread through direct skin-to-skin contact, not through the bloodstream. This is why NHSBT does not consider herpes a barrier to donation.
NHSBT Rules for Herpes and Blood Donation
NHS Blood and Transplant’s eligibility guidelines state that people with herpes can donate blood as long as they are well and any active infection has resolved. There is no permanent deferral for herpes.
The key rules:
| Situation | Can You Donate? |
|---|---|
| No current outbreak, feeling well | Yes |
| Active cold sore on lip | Wait until fully healed |
| Active genital herpes outbreak | Wait until fully healed |
| Taking daily suppressive antivirals (e.g., aciclovir) | Usually yes — confirm with donation centre |
| Taking antivirals for an active outbreak | Wait until outbreak resolved and you feel well |
| History of herpes but no current symptoms | Yes |
If you’re unsure about your eligibility, call the NHSBT helpline on 0300 123 23 23 before attending a session.
Why Herpes Doesn’t Affect Blood Safety
Herpes simplex virus is not a blood-borne pathogen in the way that HIV, hepatitis B, or hepatitis C are. While the virus can technically be present in the bloodstream during a primary (first) infection or severe outbreak, this is temporary and the viral load is extremely low.
Blood donations are screened for HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, syphilis, and HTLV. They are not screened for herpes because the risk of transmission through transfusion is considered negligible.
What About Other STIs and Blood Donation?
Different STIs have different rules:
- Chlamydia and gonorrhoea: Can donate once treated and feeling well. No permanent deferral.
- Syphilis: Must wait 12 months after completing treatment.
- HIV: Permanent deferral in the UK. People with HIV cannot donate blood.
- Hepatitis B: Permanent deferral if ever infected.
- Hepatitis C: Permanent deferral if ever infected (even if treated and cured).
- HPV/genital warts: Can donate. No deferral required.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to tell the blood donation service I have herpes?
The pre-donation questionnaire asks about your general health and any current infections. If you’re mid-outbreak, you should declare it. If you have herpes but no current symptoms, you don’t need to specifically disclose it unless asked directly.
Can herpes be transmitted through a blood transfusion?
It is theoretically possible but extremely unlikely. There are no documented cases of herpes being transmitted through screened blood transfusion in the UK. The virus is primarily spread through skin-to-skin contact.
Can I donate plasma or platelets if I have herpes?
The same rules apply. You can donate plasma and platelets as long as you’re not having an active outbreak and feel well.
I get cold sores. Can I still give blood?
Yes, as long as your cold sore has fully healed at the time of donation. Cold sores are caused by HSV-1, and the same rules apply as for genital herpes.
Will the blood donation centre test me for herpes?
No. Donated blood is not tested for herpes. It is tested for HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, syphilis, and HTLV.
Related reading
- Can You Get Herpes From a Toilet Seat?
- Can You Get Herpes From Kissing?
- Comprehensive Test: Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea and Herpes
- Cold Sores vs Syphilis Sores: How to Tell the Difference
- Genital Warts vs Herpes: What's the Difference?
Sources
- NHS — Sexual health conditions
- BASHH — UK clinical guidelines for STI management
- British HIV Association (BHIVA) — HIV treatment guidelines
- Terrence Higgins Trust — sexual health information
- UK Health Security Agency — STI surveillance data
Steve Page is a recognised expert on Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) and STD treatments, having published numerous articles in peer-reviewed journals and presented his research at conferences around the world. He has an in-depth understanding of the latest medical research on STDs, and is an advocate for the development of new treatments and protocols to improve the health of those affected. In addition to his research, he has dedicated his career to understanding the causes and symptoms of STDs, as well as how to best treat those impacted.
