Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) - Whole blood and components

Blood safety

HIV infection can destroy the immune system and lead to AIDS. It is known to be transmitted by transfusion. In the early stages of infection, the testing used by the Blood Services may not detect the virus allowing it to be passed on by transfusion.

Blood safety

HIV infection can be spread through sexual activity, including oral and anal sex. It may however not be transmitted for a long time into a relationship. This could be because the infection becomes more active in the infected partner, the uninfected partner acquires another infection or injury to a mucous membrane, or there is a change in the use of, or failure of, barrier contraceptives (e.g. condoms etc). In the early stages of infection, the testing used by the Blood Services may not detect the virus allowing it to be passed on by transfusion.

Waiting 3 months from the last sexual contact will ensure that any infection is picked up by the tests used by the Blood Services.

Accept.

• Current or former sexual partner of affected individual above

HIV is neither contagious nor spread by the faecal-oral route. It is usually only spread through a direct blood to blood or sexual route. For these reasons, household contacts do not need to be deferred.