Can You Be an Organ Donor If You Have Hepatitis?

Question: Can You Be an Organ Donor If You Have Hepatitis?

Answer: Yes, you can! Some people think that having hepatitis means that they can't be an organ donor. This is a myth. People can still be an organ donor and have acute or even chronic hepatitis.

Organ donation is a tremendous act of kindness, and there is a great need for organ donors of all ages. In fact, there is no age limit. Even if your liver isn't in good enough shape for donation, perhaps other organs and tissues could be used by someone else.

Here are examples of organs, in addition to the liver, that can be used: heart, intestines, kidneys, lungs and pancreas. (Forgotten where these organs are located and what their functions are? Take a quick tour of the digestive system.) In addition, certain tissues can also be used: bones, corneas, sclerae, tendons and certain veins.

There are, however, diseases that will prevent organ donation. Examples of two relatively common diseases include being HIV positive and having actively spreading cancer.

_Sources:

Donate Life America. Retrieved August 18, 2008. Understanding Donation.

United Network for Organ Sharing. Retrieved August 18, 2008. Media Information.