{"id":7594,"date":"2026-03-19T09:51:36","date_gmt":"2026-03-19T00:21:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hepatitissa.asn.au\/communitynews\/?p=7594"},"modified":"2026-03-24T10:43:58","modified_gmt":"2026-03-24T01:13:58","slug":"donate-blood","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hepatitissa.asn.au\/communitynews\/2026\/03\/donate-blood\/","title":{"rendered":"Can I donate blood if I have hepatitis?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

This article was originally published by Hepatitis NSW and is republished with permission.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019ve ever had hepatitis, it might mean you can\u2019t donate blood. Your eligibility to donate blood can depend on the type of hepatitis<\/a>, whether your infection was past or current, and the time since your recovery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s a snapshot before we dive deeper:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hepatitis type<\/strong><\/td>Can you donate blood in Australia?<\/strong><\/td>Key rule\/waiting period<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Hepatitis A (past, fully recovered)<\/td>Yes<\/td>Wait 6 months after full recovery<\/td><\/tr>
Hepatitis B (acute, fully recovered)<\/td>Yes<\/td>Wait 12 months after recovery*<\/td><\/tr>
Hepatitis B (chronic infection)<\/td>No<\/td>Permanent deferral<\/td><\/tr>
Hepatitis C (ever infected, even if cured)<\/td>No<\/td>Permanent deferral<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Can you donate blood if you have, or once had hepatitis B?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Lifeblood<\/a> (The Australian Red Cross Lifeblood) will give you a blood test to make sure you have a high level of immunity to hepatitis B. A high level of immunity is needed to be able to give blood. Read below for more information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Hepatitis B and blood donation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It depends on whether your infection was acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term)<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When adults get hepatitis B,<\/a> about 95% clear the virus completely (recover) and will be protected for hepatitis B for life. If you had hepatitis B in childhood you are more likely to still have it \u2013 called chronic (life-long) hepatitis B. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hepatitis B status<\/strong><\/td>Donation eligibility<\/strong><\/td>Reason<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Acute infection (recovered)<\/td>Yes, after 12 months (only if you have a high level of immunity)<\/td>You must have fully cleared the virus and regained normal liver function and have a high level of immunity. The high level of immunity is needed, because there is a small risk of low levels of virus even after clearing hepatitis B.<\/td><\/tr>
Chronic infection
(life-long)<\/td>		No<\/td>The virus stays in the body for life and may still be present at low levels<\/td><\/tr>
Uncertain history (had hepatitis B as a child)<\/td>Maybe<\/td>A doctor must confirm you cleared the infection, and no longer have hep B<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Why you need to wait 12 months:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Even after recovery, very small amounts of hepatitis B can remain in the body. The 12-month gap gives your body extra time to fully clear the virus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To be eligible to donate, Lifeblood will test to see what your levels of immunity are. If your levels of immunity are high (meaning there is little or no hepatitis B left in your blood), you will be able to donate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have chronic (life-long) hepatitis B:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You cannot donate blood in Australia. Chronic hepatitis B means the virus is still present in your blood even if you have no symptoms. To learn more about chronic hepatitis B, read our living with hepatitis B page.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hepatitis C and blood donation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Can you donate blood if you\u2019ve had hepatitis C \u2013 even if you\u2019re cured?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Unfortunately, no. Anyone who has ever tested positive for hepatitis C<\/a> cannot donate blood in Australia \u2013 even if you\u2019ve completed treatment<\/a> and are cured.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why this rule exists:<\/p>\n\n\n\n