Can gay men donate blood in the uk
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5,6,7 This is a change from a 12-month deferral for people who have a high-risk partner, and from a lifetime ban for CSW. 4 This deferral period came into practice in Great Britain in November 2017 and reduced the time between last sexual contact and donating blood to 3 months. 3 In July 2017, the government announced its intention to reduce the deferral of MSM as well as commercial sex workers (CSW) and those with a partner who has a high risk of an infection which could be sexually transmitted, or who has been sexually active in a high HIV prevalence region. 2 In 2011, the regulations were amended to allow MSM to donate if 12 months had elapsed since their last at-risk sexual contact. At this time, these precautions were deemed necessary due to the lack of testing for the AIDS pathogen, until HIV was identified in 1984. Permanent deferral of high-risk groups, including men who have sex with men (MSM), was initially introduced in the 1980s with the emergence of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Responses indicating potentially unsafe blood may result in deferral. Prior to being allowed to donate blood, a potential donor must undergo a screening questionnaire, 1 which includes questions pertaining to their sexual practices. The UK blood transfusion services rely on voluntary blood donation and exclusion of potential donors can be a controversial and emotive topic.