Pyrexia - Whole blood and components

Also known as: fever

Essential information

Definition/s

Pyrexia: a temperature of 38.0°C or above.

Scenarios

Not related to travel
Obligatory

Must not donate if:

Less than 2 weeks from an episode of pyrexia.

Discretionary

If related to a common cold or other upper respiratory tract infection, but not influenza, from which the donor is now recovered or recovering, accept.

See if relevant
Additional information

A raised temperature may be a sign of an infection, which could be passed on through a donation. Waiting 2 weeks from when the temperature returns to normal reduces the risk of infection being transmitted by the donation.

There is no evidence that common colds and upper respiratory tract infections can be passed on by donation but it is still necessary to wait until any such infection is obviously getting better before allowing donation.

Related to travel
Obligatory

See:

Reason for change:
Update of ‘See if relevant’ links due to the renaming of the ‘Tropical viruses’ entry as ‘Mosquito-borne viruses’.
Version details:

WB-DSG Edition 203 Release 81 (11 August 2026)