7.1 Donors are instructed to report all illness in the household to the milk bank for evaluation of communicability and contamination of milk. Illnesses and exposures not related to milk safety -- such as the common cold, conjunctivitis, and seasonal flu do not require deferral periods as long as deferred medications are not needed. Qualified milk bank personnel (the same people with the authority to approve the donor) temporarily disqualify donors for illness or medication issues. After a temporary disqualification, milk donation can resume at the discretion of qualified milk ban personnel.

7.2 Active donors are temporarily disqualified from donating milk under the following conditions:

7.2.1 During any acute infection requiring unapproved medication, including clinical mastitis, and monilial and fungal infections of the nipple or breast. This includes a reactivation of a chronic illness requiring medication, such as an autoimmune disorder, for example, lupus. The deferral periods include periods of time when the donors experienced adverse health symptoms, were at risk for transmitting illness, and/or were using medication, and those periods recommended for clearance of medication from the donor mother's system.

7.2.2 If the donor herself has varicella (chicken pox), exclude all milk pumped 3 days before the first lesion appears until the last lesion has crusted over. If a household member has varicella, place a temporary donor exclusion from 3 days before the first lesion through 21 days after the last lesion has crusted over. If donor does not develop varicella during the time, the temporary exclusion may be lifted and the milk may be used.

7.2.3 During reactivation of latent infection with herpes simplex virus (HSV) or varicella zoster (shingles) of the breast or thorax, starting 3 days before the first lesion and ending 1 week after the last lesion has crusted over.* (* Prospective donors taking antiviral suppressive medications are deferred according to the medication schedule.)

7.2.4 If a donor is newly diagnosed with hepatitis A, she is deferred for the 4 weeks leading up to the symptoms and for 1 week after the onset of jaundice. If milk has already been dispensed, it should be presumed positive, and recalled.

7.2.5 Alcohol consumers must avoid donating for 6 hours after consuming 1 alcoholic drink. Consuming more than 1 alcoholic drink requires a 12-hour period of deferral. “One drink” equals 1.5 ounces of hard liquor, 5 ounces of wine, 12 ounces of beer, and 10 ounces of wine cooler.

7.2.6 During the 21 days after the donor (or anyone with whom she has household contact) has received the smallpox vaccination without complications, or until the scab has separated spontaneously--whichever occurs later.

7.2.7 In the US, a donor is deferred 8 days following donor's or donor's partner's receipt of a tattoo administered in a regulated site using sterile needles and single-use-only needles and single-use only dyes. A regulated site is subject to state rules on sterile, individual-use only needles and single-use only dye parts. If there are no symptoms of skin infection, donor may donate milk pumped during the specific interval.

7.2.8 Consumption of any over-the-counter or prescription medication -- including self-prescribed or physician-prescribed mega-dose vitamins, homeopathic remedies, galactogogues, and herbs -- is reported to the milk bank. Qualified milk bank personnel temporarily disqualify the donor, using the medication deferral times contained in this document or using restrictions imposed by the individual milk bank.