JPAC Joint United Kingdom (UK) Blood Transfusion and Tissue Transplantation Services Professional Advisory Committee

Hepatitis A

1. Affected Individual
Obligatory

Must not donate if:
Less than 6 months from recovery.

See if Relevant

Travel

Additional Information

Hepatitis A is spread by the faecal - oral route and by sewage-contaminated food and water. It can also be spread sexually. There is no long term infection with the virus but there are many reports of transmission by transfusion. Infection may be symptom free but can be serious and occasionally fatal. The Blood Services do not test for this infection.

Update Information

This entry was last updated in:
WBDSG-CB Edition 203, Release 37

Reason for change

The discretionary acceptance on full recovery prior to 6 months has been removed

2. Current or Former Sexual Partner of Affected Individual
Obligatory

Must not donate if:
Less than 6 months from recovery of current sexual partner, or from last sexual contact if a former sexual partner.

Additional Information

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.

Update Information

This entry was last updated in:
WBDSG-CB Edition 203, Release 37

Reason for change

The discretionary acceptance has been removed.

3. Person Currently or Formerly Sharing a Home with an Affected Individual
Obligatory

Must not donate if:
Less than 6 months from recovery of the last affected person in the home, or from the last contact if no longer sharing.

Additional Information

Because hepatitis A is spread by the faecal - oral route household contacts may easily become infected. 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.

Update Information

This entry was last updated in:
WBDSG-CB Edition 203, Release 37

 

Reason for change

The discretionary acceptance has been removed.

4. Immunization
ObligatoryKnown exposure.
Must not donate if:

Less than six weeks after vaccine or intramuscular immunoglobulin was given.
DiscretionaryNo known exposure:
Accept.
See if RelevantHepatitis B - 4. Immunization
Travel
Additional InformationHepatitis A immunization is advised before travel to parts of the world where other infections relevant to donating such as malaria are common. The donor should be asked about any relevant travel history.

Hepatitis A immunization may be combined with Hepatitis B immunization.
Update InformationThis entry was last updated in:
DSG-WB Edition 203, Release 01.
Reason for changeThe 'Additional Information' has been extended.
Donor InformationIf you wish to obtain more information regarding a personal medical issue please contact your National Help Line.

Please do not contact this web site for personal medical queries, as we are not in a position to provide individual answers.