Warts - Whole Blood and Components

Essential information

Includes

Molluscum contagiosum, verrucas.

Obligatory

Must not donate if:

Treatment has left unhealed areas.

Discretionary

If there are no open wounds, even if on treatment, accept.

Supporting information

See if relevant

• Sexually transmitted disease
• Surgery
• Wounds, mouth and skin ulcers

Additional information

Warts (including verruca) are caused by infection with the human papilloma virus (HPV) of which there are over 100 different types. They may occur on the skin and mucous membranes. The virus is spread by skin to skin contact and it can be very infectious. Genital warts are possibly the commonest sexually transmitted disease but they do not necessarily indicate high risk sexually activity, so no specific deferral is required.

Molluscum contagiosum is also caused by a virus and can be managed in the same way as warts.

Treatment may lead to unhealed wounds or sores and these pose a risk for bacteria entering the blood. Bacteria can be a serious threat to anybody receiving blood or blood components. This is because bacteria can multiply to dangerous levels after collection.

Reason for change:

This entry was revised to support the implementation of recommendations from the FAIR study; the instruction to discuss the possibility of high risk sexual activity has been removed.

Version details:

WB-DSG Edition 203 Release 57 (26 May 2021)