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

Non-Consented Exposure to Human Body Fluids

DefinitionNon-Consented Exposure to Human Body Fluids:
A non-consented injury or assault in which an individual is exposed to potentially infective material that could be transferred through donation. The causes may range from a sharps injury to bites, punches and abrasions or heterosexual sexual assault where mucous membranes have been contaminated with human blood or other body fluids. It also applies to any inoculation injury with abnormal prions from any species.
1. Affected Individual
ObligatoryMust not donate if:
a) With any material containing abnormal prions.

b) Less than 12 months after the date of an inoculation injury or contamination of mucosa or non-intact skin with human blood or body fluids.

c) Under ongoing investigations following exposure.
DiscretionaryFor b) above, If after four months, a validated test for HB core antibody is negative, accept.
See if RelevantAnimal Bite (Non-Human)
Hepatitis
HIV
HTLV
Prion Associated Diseases
Xenotransplantation
Blood Safety Entry
Additional InformationPrion related diseases can be symptom free for many years. During the incubation stage, infection may be passed on by donated material.

Human blood or body fluids may be contaminated with infective material that may be passed on by donated material. Waiting 12 months (or four if a validated test for HB core antibody is performed after this time) helps to ensure that any infection is not passed on. This includes donors where the contact has Hepatitis B infection or is a recipient of blood derived coagulation factor concentrates.

If an individual is undergoing further tests or follow up following an exposure, donation should be deferred until all follow up is complete and above criteria apply.

This guidance presumes that a validated NAT test for hepatitis C is negative. If this test is stopped, the guidance will change.
InformationThis is a requirement of the Blood Safety and Quality Regulations 2005.
Update InformationThis entry was last updated in:
DSG-WB Edition 203, Release 03 Issue 01.
Reason for changeThe 'Definition' has been amended.

The 'obligatory' entry has been amended to add advice for donors undergoing investigations.

Additional links and 'Additional Information' have been added.
2. Current or Former Sexual Partner of Affected Individual
ObligatoryMust not donate if:
The donor's sexual partner is being monitored for evidence of transmitted infection following exposure to a known infected individual.
The affected partner has been exposed to known infective material and is being monitored for evidence of transmitted infection, until the affected partner has been told that there is no evidence of infection.
Discretionarya) If the partner has not been exposed to known infective material, accept.

b) If the partner was exposed to known infective material and has been told that they are not infected and no longer require to be monitored, accept.

c) If a former sexual partner and it is more than 12 months since the last sexual contact, accept.
See if RelevantHepatitis
HIV
HTLV
Prion Associated Diseases
Update InformationThis entry was last updated in:
DSG-WB Edition 203, Release 01.
Reason for changeThis is a new entry.
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.