Blood can be broken down into different parts that perform special roles in the body. These parts include:
Except for self-donated blood, all donated blood is tested and processed to make sure that the blood is safe:
A blood transfusion takes place in a blood center, hospital room, or operating room. It usually lasts 3-4 hours. Your health care provider will discuss the blood transfusion with you before it’s done. You’ll need to give permission for the blood transfusion by signing a consent form.
Most transfusions are problem free. In some cases, reactions occur. These can happen within seconds to minutes during the transfusion or a week to a few months after the transfusion. Call your doctor or nurse right away if you have any of the signs or symptoms in the table below during or after a transfusion:
Reaction
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Timing
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Signs and Symptoms
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Allergic reaction (mild)
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Hives or red welts on the skin, mild itching, rash, localized swelling. flushing (red face), wheezing, shortness of breath, or stridor (high-pitched noise or sound)
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Anaphylactic reaction
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Shortness of breath, flushing (red face), wheezing, labored (working hard) breathing, low blood pressure, localized swelling, chest tightness, or cramps
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Febrile nonhemolytic reaction
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Fever (increased of 1° C or higher), chills, flushing (red face), nausea, headache, minor discomfort, or mild shortness of breath
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Acute immune hemolytic reaction
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Fever, red or brown urine, back pain, fast heart rate (tachycardia), abdominal pain, low blood pressure, feeling anxious, chills, chest pain, nausea, or fainting spells
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Transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI)
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Shortness of breath, trouble breathing, low blood pressure, fever, pulmonary edema
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Transfusion-associated circulatory overload
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Shortness of breath, fast heart rate (tachycardia), problems breathing when lying on back, abnormal blood pressure
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Post-transfusion purpura (PUP)
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Purple spots on skin, nose bleed, urinary tract, abdomen, colon, or rectum, fever, or chills
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"Delayed" transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI)
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"Sudden" onset of respiratory distress or trouble breathing
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"Delayed" hemolytic reaction
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Low-grade fever, mild jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes), decrease in hematocrit, chills, chest pain, back pain, nausea
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