Can I donate breast milk if I have Hsv?

Can I Donate Breast Milk if I Have HSV?
Breast milk donation is a noble act that can provide essential nutrition to infants in need. However, if you have the Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV), you may have concerns about whether you can safely donate your milk. Understanding the implications of HSV on breastfeeding and milk donation is crucial for both your health and the safety of the recipient infants.
Understanding HSV and Breastfeeding
Herpes Simplex Virus is a common viral infection that can manifest in two forms: HSV-1, typically associated with oral herpes, and HSV-2, which is more commonly linked to genital herpes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides clear guidelines regarding breastfeeding for mothers with HSV. If a mother has active lesions, particularly on the breast, she should refrain from breastfeeding from the affected breast and should not express milk from it either. This precaution is vital to prevent the risk of transmitting the virus to the infant through direct contact with the lesions.
Breast Milk and HSV Transmission
Importantly, HSV is not transmitted through breast milk itself. The risk of neonatal herpes primarily arises from direct contact with active lesions during breastfeeding or skin-to-skin contact. Therefore, if you are managing your HSV and do not have active lesions, the risk of transmitting the virus through expressed milk is significantly reduced.
Guidelines for Milk Donation
When it comes to donating breast milk, the guidelines can vary depending on the milk bank or organization. Generally, milk banks screen potential donors for various health conditions, including infectious diseases. If you have HSV but are asymptomatic (not experiencing active outbreaks), you may still be eligible to donate, provided you follow the necessary precautions and guidelines set by the milk bank.
However, if you have had recent outbreaks or active lesions, it is advisable to wait until you are fully healed and symptom-free before considering donation. This ensures that you are not only protecting the health of the infants receiving your milk but also adhering to the safety protocols established by milk banks.
Conclusion
In summary, while having HSV does not automatically disqualify you from donating breast milk, it is essential to consider your current health status and any active symptoms. If you are symptom-free and have not had recent outbreaks, you may be able to donate your milk safely. Always consult with healthcare professionals and the specific milk bank for guidance tailored to your situation. Your health and the safety of the infants receiving your milk should always be the top priority.

What disqualifies you from donating breastmilk?

You may be disqualified from donating breast milk if you: Have or are being treated for HIV, HTLV (human T-cell leukemia virus), hepatitis B or C, or syphilis. Have a sexual partner who is at risk for HIV, HTLV, hepatitis B or C, or syphilis. Have used recreational drugs within the last year.

Can I donate eggs if I have HSV?

If you’re having an active [herpes outbreak], we probably wouldn’t want you to cycle, because you’re probably very uncomfortable, but in general, just having herpes antibodies or having HPV on your pap in the past is not going to preclude you from becoming a viable egg donor.” Purcell agrees, “There’s not a big concern …

What disqualifies a woman from donating eggs?

Lifestyle factors: Certain detrimental lifestyle choices undisputedly disqualify a woman from becoming an egg donor. Excessive alcohol consumption, drug use, or smoking cannot be overlooked when it comes to fertility. Donors must lead a healthy lifestyle to ensure the best possible outcomes for the patients of NGC.

Who should not donate milk?

You should never donate breast milk if any of the following applies: You have ever tested positive for HTLV, Hepatitis B or C, or syphilis. You have not been tested yet but think you might have HTLV, Hepatitis B or C, or syphilis. You are HIV positive.

Can you donate if you have HSV?

Yes, provided you aren’t suffering a current episode. Any lesions from a recent episode must be clean and dry. You can donate between episodes, though. If you’ve had contact with someone who has active genital herpes, you’ll be able to donate two weeks after your last contact.

Can you pass HPV through breastmilk?

Conclusions: HPV in breast milk is prevalent among the lactating mothers and HPV can also persist in breast milk. The breast milk is a potential vehicle for HPV transmission to oral mucosa of the spouse but not of the offspring.

Can you pass Hsv through breast milk?

The herpes virus can also be spread to your baby if you have a blister caused by herpes on your breast and you feed your baby with the affected breast or expressed breast milk from the affected breast. A baby is most at risk of getting a herpes infection in the first 4 weeks after birth.

What STDs can be passed through breast milk?

The risk for transmission from mother to child varies significantly if the maternal infection is a primary infection (eg, herpes simplex virus [HSV], HIV1), a secondary (reactivation) infection (eg, HSV, CMV) or a chronic infection (eg, hepatitis B, HIV1, HTLV-I) during pregnancy or lactation.

What do they test for when you donate breast milk?

Also the labs must be done at least eight days after the procedure. In addition, milk banks serologically screen potential donors for HIV-1, HIV-2, human T-lymphotropic virus (HTLV), Hepatitis C, Hepatitis B surface antigen and syphilis no more than six months prior to the first donation.

Can a mother pass HSV antibodies to baby?

Even if HSV does reactivate, research shows that a recurrent infection is much less likely to cause neonatal herpes compared to an infection that occurs for the first time during pregnancy. This is because antibodies from your past infection pass to your baby and help protect them.