Blood banks collect, test, and store blood. They carefully screen all donated blood for possible infectious agents, such as viruses, that could make you sick. Blood bank staff also screens each blood donation to find out whether it's type A, B, AB, or O and whether it's Rh-positive or Rh-negative. Getting a blood type that doesn't work with your own blood type will make you very sick. That's why blood banks are very careful when they test the blood.
To prepare blood for a transfusion, some blood banks remove white blood cells. This process is called white cell or leukocyte reduction. Some people are allergic to white blood cells in donated blood. Removing these cells makes allergic reactions less likely.
1.5. BLOOD TRANSFUSION - RISKS
Blood transfusions are a fairly common …show more content…
Blood Transfusion Reaction
A transfusion reaction is defined as “an undesirable and unintended occurrence during or after the administration of any blood component/product that could be considered to be related to the said product.”
1.5.1.1. Allergic reaction
An allergic reaction is caused by the body’s immune system reacting to proteins or other substances in the donated blood. The symptoms of the reaction are usually mild and occur during or shortly after the transfusion. Symptoms include: a raised, red, itchy skin rash (urticaria), swelling of the hands, arms, feet, ankles and legs (oedema), headaches, high temperature (fever) or,above,38C(100.4F),chills, shivering, shortness of breath, swelling of the lips or eyelid
1.5.1.2. Anaphylaxis
Anaphylaxis is a more serious and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction to antibodies or other substances in the blood. The symptoms of anaphylaxis may occur as soon as the blood transfusion begins. Symptoms include: severe shortness of breath, rash or swelling of lips or eyelids feeling faint or clammy. Treatment for anaphylaxis is usually an injection of a type of medication called adrenaline.
1.5.1.3. Fluid