Cheerful and bisexual men will soon be able to convey blood and plasma

Many gays and bisexual men have been excluded from the transmission of blood and plasma (liquid part of the blood) for decades due to the principles developed during the HIV crisis in the 1980s.

Australian Red Cross “Blood Dararation Ram, Lif Livillood, announced These restrictions will be raised. This opens the paths of donations for many gays and bisexual men and other men having sex with men.

What changes to donate in plasma?

From July 14, LIFLOOD will remove restrictions based on sexual activity in the field of plasma donation for drugs made of plasma, except for those who recently had sex with a partner, which is known to have a HIV virus or other virus transmitted by blood.

This first world policy of the “plasma path” will allow most people, including homosexuals and bisexual men, to immediately transfer plasma regardless of sexual activity, provided that they meet other criteria.

What changes to other blood donation?

Has the administration of therapeutic goods (TGA) approved Gender gender assessment of risk of blood and platelets donations.

As part of this system, all donors, regardless of gender, will be asked whether they have had sex (excluding oral sex) with a modern partner in the last six months or more than one partner.

If they answer “yes” to any question, they will be asked if they have had anal sex in the last three months. Those who say “yes” will be postponed from a donation of full blood for six months, due to the higher risk of carrying HIV during anal sex and time needed for HIV detection in the test. But they will still be entitled to transfer the plasma.

So homosexual and bisexual men in long -term monogamous relationships will no longer have to refrain from sex for three months to convey full blood.

Why were the limits earlier?

In the 1980s, the transfer of HIV through blood transfusions caused urgent reactions of public health. Australia, like many countries, introduced an unspecified postponement for men having sex with men, the population of the most affected HIV.

This policy significantly reduced HIV transmission through blood transfusions before available HIV tests.

Routine tests of blood donations on HIV began in 1985, but preliminary tests HIV cannot be detected for up to three months after infection.

As the tests improved, the deferral was reduced – first 12 months in 2000, then up to three months from the last sexual activity in 2021.

Why changes?

The indicators of the modern HIV infection have dropped significantly since the 1980s. 2023722 Recent HIV cases were reported throughout the country (2.7 per 100,000 population).

Newfangled tests can now detect HIV within a week of exposure, which dramatically reducing the risk of transfusion transmission.

However, postponement of the blanket still used regardless of individual risk – for example, if men had only one partner. As a result, many low -risk men remain out of the excluded.

Why various blood and plasma principles?

Full blood is divided into red cells, plasma and platelets. It is a regular process of giving blood in which blood is taken and then undergoes the testing process to check if it is secure.

These ingredients are mainly used for transfusion directly for patients without further processing.

Claw, yellow liquid part, contains proteins used to treat immune disorders, severe burns and other conditions.

During plasma donation, the machine separates plasma (yellow part of the liquid) from red blood cells and other parts of the blood. The machine stores plasma and Returns red blood cells to the donor by the same needle.

Plasma for plasma drugs, The blood product of the most demand in AustraliaIt is processed using additional techniques that kill viruses and bacteria, enabling donations with a smaller range compared to full blood.

How many more people qualify based on the modern rules?

The national survey, which we conducted together with Lifallod, was found estimates 57% Australians and 63% of Australian men were entitled to donate blood. Among Men who reported sex with menThe eligibility was only 40%.

According to the modern plasma path, it is expected that the overall eligibility will boost to 61%, and to 74% for gay and bisexual men – an boost of about 626,500 newly eligible plasma donors. This will include people taking HIV-PREP (prevention before HIV exposing), which protects against HIV infection.

The impact of gender -neutral risk assessment on eligibility for transmitting blood donations is less certain.

How will people feel asked about their sexual history?

The same survey was found Most Australians supported Asking how many partners they had and whether they had anal sex to see if they were entitled to convey a donation. However, the support varied depending on the age, religion and the country of birth.

Understanding and responding to these differences will be crucial for the involvement of the community and maintaining trust in blood supply.

Will this affect the safety of blood supply?

Gender questions are aimed at identifying high -risk sexual activity, regardless of someone’s sex or sexual orientation. Questions still limit anyone who recently had anal sex with many or modern sexual partners.

Similar policies were adopted in countries such as Great Britain, Canada and the Netherlands, Z No evidence for an increased risk of blood supply.

What happens next?

From July 14, the rules of donation in plasma will change, enabling a donation in plasma regardless of sexual activity.

. TGA approval for sexually neutral blood assessments He has just been awarded. Lifalod will now have to update systems, look for government approvals, train employees and inform society before this change can be implemented.

The ongoing assessment will be necessary to monitor the impact on the number of donors, security and public perception, and to ensure that blood donations policy is based on evidence and fair.