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What is a blood transfusion? — Blood transfusion is when a person gets donated blood. You might need donated blood if you:
●Lost a lot of blood, for example in an accident or during surgery
●Have a medical condition that affects your blood
Blood is made up of different parts:
●Red blood cells carry oxygen to your body
●White blood cells help fight infections
●Platelets help your blood to clot
●Plasma is the liquid part of your blood. It contains many types of proteins. Some of these proteins help your blood to clot.
Depending on why you need a transfusion, you might need just 1 of these parts. Or you might need "whole blood," which has all the parts.
Where does the blood come from? — Most of the time, blood for a transfusion comes from a blood collection center (sometimes called a "blood bank"). This center might be part of a hospital or it might be separate. When people donate blood, it goes to 1 of these centers. Then it is tested, made ready to use, and stored until it is needed.
In some cases, a person can donate their own blood, which can be stored for their own use if they are planning to have surgery soon. That way, if they need a blood transfusion, they can get their own blood.
How do I know the blood is safe? — Before your blood transfusion, you will have a blood test to check your blood type (A, B, AB, or O). This also involves checking for a specific protein that some people have on their red blood cells, called "Rh-factor." If your blood has this protein, it is called "Rh-positive," and if it does not, it is called "Rh-negative." Donated blood is tested, too. This is to make sure you get blood that is "compatible" with your blood type. If the blood is not compatible, your body will attack the new blood and make you sick.
People who donate blood must answer questions to learn if they are at a higher risk for some infections. The blood bank also tests the donated blood for the bacteria that causes syphilis and for certain viruses. Some of these include HIV, hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, and West Nile virus. They do not test the blood for the virus that causes COVID-19.
What happens during a blood transfusion? — For a transfusion, you get the donated blood through an "IV" (a thin tube that goes into a vein) (figure 1). A blood transfusion can take up to 4 hours, depending on how much blood you need and how quickly you need it. The staff will closely watch your heart rate, blood pressure, and temperature while you get the blood. After the blood transfusion, the staff will take the IV out, unless you need it to get other fluids or medicines.
What are the risks of blood transfusion? — Risks of a blood transfusion include:
●Allergic reactions, fever, or hives
●Shortness of breath if your body has trouble handling extra fluids
●A reaction in the lungs that affects breathing
●The body attacking donated red blood cells
●An infection for which the blood is not screened, or a bacterial infection
What else do I need to know? — Be sure to tell your doctor right away if you have any symptoms during your transfusion that might mean there is a problem. Symptoms can also happen days or weeks after your transfusion. Tell your doctor or nurse right away if you have any of the following:
●Signs of a very bad reaction – These include wheezing; trouble breathing, chest or back pain or tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; seizures; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat. If you have any of these symptoms after your transfusion, call for an ambulance right away (in the US and Canada, call 9-1-1).
●Signs of infection – These include a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher or chills.
●Headache or dizziness
●Itching or a rash
●Urine that looks red or dark in color
Patient education: Blood donation (giving blood) (The Basics)
Patient education: Blood donation and transfusion (Beyond the Basics)
