BLOOD-TRANSFUSION REACTION

General Information

DEFINITION--Symptoms triggered by a blood transfusion.

BODY PARTS INVOLVED--Blood; blood vessels; kidneys; heart; skin; central nervous system; lungs.

SEX OR AGE MOST AFFECTED--Both sexes. All ages.

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

Less serious:

• Chills and fever.
• Backache or other aches and pains.
• Hives and itching.

More serious:

• Blood-cell destruction (hemolysis), causing shortness of breath, severe headache, chest or back pain and blood in the urine.

CAUSES--Transfusions of a different blood type than that of the patient. This may occur from errors in matching or from the use of incompletely matched blood in an emergency.

RISK INCREASES WITH

• Blood transfusions in emergency situations, when careful typing and matching of blood must be bypassed.
• Blood transfusions from donors who carry infections.
• Multiple blood transfusions.
• Rh negative mother.

HOW TO PREVENT

• Blood-bank and hospital personnel have safety procedures to prevent reactions except in situations that are uncontrollable (see Causes).
• Use of diphenhydramine (an antihistamine) and acetaminophen prior to transfusion may prevent minor reactions.
• Let doctor or medical personnel know of any prior history of a response to transfusions.
• If surgery is planned at least 1 month in advance, your own blood may be drawn and stored for use during surgery, if necessary. Transfusion with your own blood is least likely to produce a reaction.

What To Expect

DIAGNOSTIC MEASURES--

• Your own observation of symptoms.
• Medical history and physical exam by a doctor.
• Laboratory blood tests to recheck compatibility and detect complications.

APPROPRIATE HEALTH CARE

• Doctor's treatment.
• Hospitalization. Patients receiving transfusions are usually in a hospital or outpatient surgical facility, and reactions can be treated when they occur.

POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS

• Acute kidney failure.
• Anaphylaxis.
• Congestive heart failure from too rapid transfusion.

PROBABLE OUTCOME--Most reactions clear gradually after the transfusion is halted. A few reactions are fatal.

How To Treat

GENERAL MEASURES----Stay awake and alert during a blood transfusion, if possible, so you can notify medical personnel immediately if symptoms occur.

MEDICATION--Your doctor may prescribe:

• Antihistamines to decrease hives and itching.
• Cortisone drugs to decrease the likelihood of acute kidney failure.
• Antihypertensives, if blood pressure rises too high, or hypertensives, such as ephedrine or epinephrine, if blood pressure drops too low.

ACTIVITY--Resume your normal activities as soon as symptoms improve after transfusion.

DIET--No special diet.

Call Your Doctor If

You have symptoms of a blood-transfusion reaction during or after a transfusion. Call immediately. This is an emergency!