BLOOD TRANSFUSION

HYPERSENSITIVITY

Hypersensitivity (also called hypersensitivity reaction or intolerance) is a set of undesirable reactions produced by the normal immune system, including allergies and autoimmunity. These reactions may be damaging, uncomfortable, or occasionally fatal. Hypersensitivity reactions require a pre-sensitized (immune) state of the host .

Symptoms of blood transfusion

Symptoms may include any of the following:

¨Back pain

¨Bloody urine

¨Chills

¨Fainting or dizziness

¨Fever

¨Flank pain

¨Flushing of the skinHives

¨Shortness of breath.

¨A fast heart rate

¨Low blood pressure.

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Symptoms of a hemolytic transfusion reaction most often appear during or right after the transfusion. Sometimes, they may develop after several days (delayed reaction).

Treatment

     If symptoms occur during the transfusion, the transfusion must be stopped right away. Blood samples from the recipient (person getting the transfusion) and from the donor may be tested to tell whether symptoms are being caused by a transfusion reaction