BLOOD TRANSFUSIONS

Blood transfusions are done to add more blood to a person's bloodstream. They are given when a person's life is threatened by loss, destruction, or reduced production of blood. Blood transfusions are often needed for accident victims, surgery patients, and people with blood disorders. Transfused blood may come from volunteer donors or from the patient.

Blood is transfused through a vein. The amount of blood required depends on the amount lost or on the severity of the blood disorder. The patient's pulse, blood pressure, and temperature are measured regularly during the procedure.

When there is any sign of reaction to a blood transfusion, the procedure is immediately stopped. A blood reaction usually is not severe. In rare instances, a transfusion reaction can produce shock or kidney failure. mild symptoms include fever, chills, rash, a burning sensation along the vein where the transfusion is given, flushing, headache or delayed anemia.

Donated blood is safer than it has ever been. Changing technology continues to reduce the risk of getting an infection (hepatitis, AIDS, syphilis, or malaria) from a transfusion. Better science and updated laws permit safer screening, testing, and storage of donated blood. In spite of these precautions, very rarely some blood carrying HIV does get through the screen process. This happens because there is a period of time known as the antibody-negative window. If a donor is newly infected with HIV and unaware, they will not have produced a detectable level of antibodies at the time the blood is donated. As a result, very rarely, transfused blood contains HIV.

The safest blood is your own and it is now possible to "recycle" your blood during some surgical procedures. Another option may be to donate your own blood prior to a planned procedure.

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

HIL File GHEA4213.RF2 VRS# 4213 Data Version 7.0