SwedenLivingWorld world_2_fill WorldBusiness BusinessSports sports-soccer SportsEntertainmentEntertain

More flexible blood donation - regardless of sex partner

Men who have sex with men are seen as a special risk group in blood donation, even those who live monogamously. But now changes are underway. Blood donation will become more equal, says Linda Savolainen, investigator at the National Board of Health and Welfare.

» Updated: 07 October 2024, 06:15

» Published: 30 September 2024

More flexible blood donation - regardless of sex partner
Photo: Fredrik Sandberg /TT

Today, the deferral period is six months for those who have been exposed to the risk of infection. Belonging to the group of men who have sex with men is one of the factors considered to pose a risk, which has made it difficult for this group to donate blood.

The risk assessment will now be revised, and the deferral period will be the same for all who change sexual partners.

The deferral period for those who change partners will be four months for everyone, regardless of gender and sexual orientation, says Linda Savolainen, investigator at the National Board of Health and Welfare.

A prerequisite for individual-based blood donation to be possible is, according to the National Board of Health and Welfare, the introduction of a new and more sensitive method for screening blood donors, known as the NAT test. With this test method, infections will be able to be detected faster and shorten the period from when a blood donor becomes infected to when the infection is detected.

It is still unclear when the revised risk assessment can become a reality.

The changes require an amendment to the National Board of Health and Welfare's regulations on blood donation and the introduction of the NAT test. It is a priority and the work has begun, but I cannot say exactly how long it will take, says Linda Savolainen.

Several countries, both within and outside the EU, have introduced individual-based risk assessment for blood donors. The National Board of Health and Welfare has gathered experiences from these countries and investigated which model can be introduced in Sweden while maintaining patient safety. The investigation was commissioned by the government.

Maria Stensson/TT

Facts: Current deferral period for blood donation

TT

Those who want to donate blood must fill out a health declaration. There, they must state whether they have been exposed to blood-borne infections in any way.

If someone has been infected, they may be in the so-called window period, i.e., the time it takes from the infection to when a potential infection can be detected through testing. The deferral periods are in place to allow for potential infections to be detected.

Blood can be donated at the earliest six months after a high-risk situation for contracting an infectious disease that can be transmitted through blood. High risk refers, for example, to situations where a person has had sex in exchange for money, drugs, or other compensation, a man who has had sexual intercourse with a man, a woman who has had sexual intercourse with a man who has or has had sexual intercourse with a man.

Source: National Board of Health and Welfare

Tags
TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

The King on the Climate Meeting: It's Moving Too Slowly
2 MIN READ

The King on the Climate Meeting: It's Moving Too Slowly

Resignation Demand on Demirok: "Weak Leadership"
3 MIN READ

Resignation Demand on Demirok: "Weak Leadership"

Town Hall Evacuated Due to Threatening Note
1 MIN READ

Town Hall Evacuated Due to Threatening Note

The Government appoints new Chancellor of Justice
1 MIN READ

The Government appoints new Chancellor of Justice

The Liberals' office attacked: "Abhorrent"
2 MIN READ

The Liberals' office attacked: "Abhorrent"

Three charged with thermos bomb in Malmö
1 MIN READ

Three charged with thermos bomb in Malmö

Kristersson: "Close dialogue with other countries"
1 MIN READ

Kristersson: "Close dialogue with other countries"

The Social Democrats want answers about stopped wind farms
1 MIN READ

The Social Democrats want answers about stopped wind farms

Two charged with fatal shooting at restaurant
1 MIN READ

Two charged with fatal shooting at restaurant

Power Outage in Court: "Sitting in Darkness"
1 MIN READ

Power Outage in Court: "Sitting in Darkness"

The Navy investigates sabotage on another cable
1 MIN READ

The Navy investigates sabotage on another cable

The parties behind the Tidö agreement want a cap on the size of children's groups.
3 MIN READ

The parties behind the Tidö agreement want a cap on the size of children's groups.

Åkesson: Total Stop for Citizenship
1 MIN READ

Åkesson: Total Stop for Citizenship

Man arrested for new sex crimes against children
1 MIN READ

Man arrested for new sex crimes against children

Five detained after explosion on Östermalm
1 MIN READ

Five detained after explosion on Östermalm

Further No to Offshore Wind Power
1 MIN READ

Further No to Offshore Wind Power

Investigation launched after report against Dumpen
1 MIN READ

Investigation launched after report against Dumpen

Proposal for Climate Agreement Slammed: Unacceptable
2 MIN READ

Proposal for Climate Agreement Slammed: Unacceptable

Four out of ten houses have deficiencies in fire protection.
1 MIN READ

Four out of ten houses have deficiencies in fire protection.

Snow and strong winds – many households without power
2 MIN READ

Snow and strong winds – many households without power