What is a blood transfusion?
A blood transfusion is donated blood given to patients
with abnormal blood levels. The patient may have abnormal blood levels due to blood
loss from trauma or surgery, or as a result of certain medical problems. The
transfusion is done with one or more of the following parts of blood: red blood cells,
platelets, plasma, or cryoprecipitate.
What are the potential benefits of a blood transfusion?
If your body does not have enough of one of the components of blood, you may develop serious life-threatening complications.
- Red blood cells carry oxygen through your body to your heart and brain.
Adequate oxygen is very important to maintain life.
- Platelets and cryoprecipitate help to prevent or control bleeding.
- Plasma replaces blood volume and also may help to prevent or control bleeding.
How safe are blood transfusions?
Blood donors are asked many questions about their health, behavior, and travel history in order to ensure that the blood supply is as
safe as it can be. Only people who pass the survey are allowed to donate. Donated blood is tested according to national guidelines. If there is any question that the
blood is not safe, it is thrown away. However, there is still a very small chance that something will go undetected in the screening process. To put this in perspective, let’s look at your chances of getting a disease from a blood transfusion:
- HIV: 1 in 2 million cases
- Hepatitis C: 1 in 1 million cases
- Hepatitis B: 1 in 137,000 cases
For comparison, let’s look at your lifetime odds for a few other things:
- Struck by lightning: 1 in 700,000
- Deadly plane crash: 1 in 500,000
- Accidental drowning: 1 in 80,000
- Deadly car accident: 1 in 5,000
Additional transfusion risks and reactions:
- severe allergic reaction
- human error
- bacterial contamination
- Transfusion-Related Acute Lung Injury (an immune reaction that affects a person’s lungs)
- fever, chills, rash
- temporary decreased ability to fight infections
- fluid overload
These reactions may be mild or severe. Most mild reactions are not life-threatening when treated quickly. Severe transfusion reactions may
be life-threatening.
Are there any alternatives?
The alternatives available and how well they work will
depend on your situation. If you need a transfusion, sometimes medications can
be used in order to help your body to make its own blood. Some medications may
also be used to prevent or control bleeding.