The American Red Cross has sent us the following statement:

"Herpes simplex is not a cause for deferral from giving blood unless the donor is ill, i.e. running a fever, feeling listless or has an outbreak of sores. Herpes is kept in the body in the nerve cells, not in the blood."

We received this statement from Dr Haley, Sr. Medical Officer, Biomedical Services, American Red Cross, on 2nd December 1999.

Please consider donating blood to support this worthy cause.