Infections

You cannot give blood if you have an infection at present. You must wait a certain time after some common infections, before you can give blood:

Cold

You can give blood when you are fully recovered

Flu (Influenza)

You can give blood 2 weeks after full recovery

Gastroenteritis

You can give blood 2 weeks after full recovery

Measles / Mumps / Chicken Pox / German Measles

You can give blood 2 weeks after full recovery

Chest / throat / ear / sinus infection

You can give blood 2 weeks after full recovery

If you took antibiotics, you must also have finished the course at least one week before giving blood

You must never give blood if you ever had the following infections even if you were treated for the condition:

Brucellosis

Q Fever

Babesiosis

Chagas’ Disease

Leishmaniasis (Kala-Azar)

We cannot list every infection here so if you have had an infection that is not mentioned and you would like to know if you can give blood, please phone us on our low-call number 1800 731 137 and we can advise you