2. Current or Former Sexual Partner of Affected Individual

Must not donate if less than 6 months:
1. Since a current sexual partner has recovered from symptoms of hepatitis A, or

2. Since a current sexual partner tested positive for Hepatitis A Virus (HAV) RNA, or

3. Since last sexual contact with a former sexual partner who has hepatitis A.

1. If less than 6 months from recovery of current sexual partner, since the current sexual partner tested negative for HAV RNA, or from last sexual contact with a former sexual partner, AND if shown to be immune, accept.

2. For tissues that will undergo processing that has been determined to inactivate HAV prior to transplantation, accept.

There is a risk of transmitting the infection through sexual activity. Infection may be symptom free but can be serious and occasionally fatal. The 6 month exclusion allows any infection to run its natural course and for any risk of passing the infection on through donation to have passed.

The processing and decontamination protocols applied to certain types of tissue allograft may be sufficient to inactivate the Hepatitis A Virus. Tissue establishments should perform a documented risk assessment to determine which tissues and processes this applies to.

To expand the ‘Obligatory’ and ‘Discretionary’ sections to add guidance for donors whose sexual partner tested positive for HAV RNA within 6 months of the date of donation, and to allow donation of tissues where the processing and decontamination protocols applied have been determined to inactivate Hepatitis A Virus.