What is a Transfusion Reaction?
A transfusion reaction occurs when the body responds adversely to a blood transfusion. This happens because the immune system recognizes the transfused blood as foreign and attacks it, or due to other complications related to the transfusion process.
Transfusion reactions can range from mild to life-threatening, making it crucial to recognize and treat them promptly.
What Are the Types of Transfusion Reactions?
- Febrile Non-Hemolytic Reaction: Most common; caused by immune response to donor white blood cells. Symptoms include fever and chills.
- Acute Hemolytic Reaction: Serious reaction where the recipient’s immune system destroys transfused red blood cells. Causes fever, chills, back pain, and dark urine.
- Allergic Reaction: Mild to severe allergic response causing itching, rash, or anaphylaxis.
- Delayed Hemolytic Reaction: Occurs days to weeks later as antibodies slowly destroy transfused cells.
- Graft-versus-Host Disease: Rare but fatal, donor immune cells attack the recipient’s tissues.
- Iron Overload: Repeated transfusions lead to excess iron in the body causing organ damage.
- Transfusion-Related Acute Lung Injury (TRALI): Sudden lung inflammation causing breathing difficulty and low oxygen levels.
- Septic Reaction: Due to bacterial contamination of transfused blood causing fever, chills, and shock.
What Are the Symptoms of a Transfusion Reaction?
- Fever and chills
- Rash, itching, or hives
- Back or chest pain
- Difficulty breathing or wheezing
- Dark or reddish urine
- Low blood pressure
- Nausea or vomiting
- Headache
- Feeling anxious or restless
- Swelling or flushing
How Is a Transfusion Reaction Diagnosed?
- Monitoring vital signs during and after transfusion
- Blood tests to check for hemolysis and immune reactions
- Urine tests for blood or hemoglobin
- Chest X-ray if lung complications are suspected
- Cultures if infection is suspected
How Is a Transfusion Reaction Treated?
- Stop the transfusion immediately
- Maintain intravenous access with saline solution
- Treat symptoms such as fever or allergic reactions with medications (antihistamines, corticosteroids)
- Provide oxygen or respiratory support if needed
- In severe cases, intensive care and supportive treatments may be necessary
- Monitor kidney function and urine output
How Can Transfusion Reactions Be Prevented?
- Careful blood typing and crossmatching before transfusion
- Using leukocyte-reduced or washed blood products for sensitive patients
- Monitoring patients closely during transfusion
- Reporting and investigating any previous transfusion reactions
- Using blood from screened and tested donors
Living with a History of Transfusion Reactions
If you have experienced a transfusion reaction before, inform your healthcare providers. They may take extra precautions during future transfusions to reduce risk and ensure safety. Early recognition and treatment of reactions improve outcomes significantly.