On the current blood donor questionnaire, men are asked if they have ever had sex with another man since 1977— the start of the AIDS epidemic in the U.S. Potential donors who answer positively are barred from donating blood. The new questionnaire, as outlined under FDA guidelines, would as...
Additionally, it will prevent people taking pre-exposure prophylaxis or post-exposure prophylaxis, medications to prevent HIV infections, from donating blood, according to the FDA. The restriction previously singled out MSM while ignoring other people that partake in sexual activities that could increase...
Furthermore, these lengthy deferrals may discourage potential donors from donating blood in the future.1 This article outlines the arguments for and against the selective relaxation of blood donation restrictions placed on travellers in light of recent insights into selected transfusion-transmitted diseases...
What started as a lifetime ban against sexually active gay men donating blood moved in 2013 to a requirement that men wait five years after having sex with another man before giving blood. Over time, the waiting period reduced to one year, and then to three months. The ultimate goa...