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# Syphilis - Whole blood and components

### Scenarios

Affected individual

Obligatory

  Must not donate.

Additional information

  Many donors with treated syphilis will persistently test positive to the screening tests used by the Blood Services, even if treated many years ago. This will mean they will not be able to donate.

Current or former sexual partner of an affected individual

Obligatory

  Must not donate if:

  1. The potential donor was diagnosed with syphilis (see Affected individual above).
  2. It is less than 3 months since last sexual contact with an infected partner.
Discretionary
  1. If it is more than 3 months from the last sexual contact with an infected partner, accept.
  2. If it is more than 3 months since the infected partner has completed treatment, accept.

## Supporting information

See if relevant
  - Blood safety
Regulatory information

  Part of this entry is a requirement of the Blood Safety and Quality Regulations 2005.

Reason for change:
  This entry was updated to support the implementation of the recommendations from the FAIR study; the deferral period after sexual contact with an infected person, has been reduced to three months.
Version details:

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

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