A Common Question After Recovery
After treatment for Lyme disease, many patients ask: Can I donate blood if I’ve had Lyme disease?
The short answer: Lyme disease is not known to spread through blood transfusions. However, blood donation centers recommend waiting until you’ve finished treatment and remain symptom-free for a recovery period before donating.
Why Guidelines Differ
Rules for donors who’ve had Lyme disease can vary by country and over time. Most follow three principles:
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You’re fully recovered and symptom-free.
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You’re no longer taking antibiotics.
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You’ve completed an appropriate recovery period before donating.
Why Donation Risk with Babesia — Not Lyme
Lyme disease is caused by Borrelia burgdorferi, which does not survive in stored blood. There has never been a confirmed case of Lyme transmitted by transfusion.
There is a concern, however, with Babesia microti, a parasite that infects red blood cells. Unlike Lyme bacteria, Babesia can survive in stored blood and has caused documented cases of transfusion-transmitted babesiosis (TTB) in the United States and abroad.
While Lyme itself isn’t known to spread through blood, Babesia — another tick-borne infection — can be. Documented cases prompted new U.S. blood-donor screening to protect recipients.
Blood banks now screen for Babesia in certain regions, as Babesia and blood donation have become a recognized transfusion-safety concern.
Because the same deer tick can transmit both infections, patients with a history of Lyme exposure may be asked about co-infections before donating.
If You Still Have Symptoms
If you experience fatigue, nerve pain, or brain fog after treatment — often called Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome (PTLDS) — delay donating until fully well.
Even after the infection clears, your body may need more recovery time.
When in doubt, consult your physician or the donation center’s medical staff.
When It’s Safe to Donate
You’re generally eligible to donate when you’ve completed antibiotics, remained symptom-free for several months, and are not being treated for co-infections such as Babesia. When those conditions apply, most blood centers consider donation safe—both for you and for recipients, who rely on healthy, infection-free blood supplies.
Did You Know?
Lyme disease isn’t transmitted through blood transfusion — but Babesia, a tick-borne parasite, can be.
Why It Matters
Lyme disease doesn’t automatically disqualify you from donating blood. Recovery and awareness of co-infections matter most.
If you’ve recovered fully and your doctor agrees, donating blood can be a meaningful milestone — a sign of both recovery and resilience.
