Why someone needs a blood transfusion

In fact, according to the American Red Cross , the chance of a person contracting hepatitis B is 1 in ,, and the likelihood of contracting hepatitis C is 1 in 1. The chances of getting HIV from a blood transfusion in the United States is less than 1 in 1 million. A blood transfusion is a safe procedure that replaces blood lost to injury or surgery. It can also help treat certain medical conditions. Although infections are very rare, it is possible for the body to react to the new blood.

In most cases, however, these reactions are mild. Blood types depend on the content of the blood cells and are inherited from parents. There are eight main types. Which type you have affects how you…. Plasma is a component in blood, and donating it can help others combat serious illnesses.

Here, learn about the possible side effects and how to…. Plasmapheresis involves removing some plasma from the blood for donation. This plasma can be used to treat a range of medical conditions, including…. When do you need a blood transfusion? Is there a maximum number of blood transfusions a person can have? Find out in this article. When a person has lost blood or it is not functioning effectively, a transfusion can be lifesaving. How long does it take, and how long do the….

Blood transfusions: What to know. This can happen within a day of the blood transfusion. Destruction of red blood cells by the body hemolytic reaction. A hemolytic reaction happens when your body attacks the donated RBCs. Donated blood goes through a very careful matching process, so this reaction is very rare. If it does happen, it can cause chills, fever, kidney damage, and other serious symptoms.

Symptoms can happen during the blood transfusion or in the next several hours. A delayed hemolytic reaction can also happen. This can happen even if you got the right blood type. This may take days or weeks to happen. It may not cause any symptoms, but it can cause your RBC count to be lower. Too much blood in the body transfusion overload. Transfusion overload may happen if a person gets more blood than needed. It can cause shortness of breath and other symptoms. The symptoms usually happen within a few hours to a day.

Taking diuretic medicine after a blood transfusion may prevent this problem. Too much iron in the body iron overload. This can happen in people who need to have many blood transfusions over time for an ongoing medical condition.

Viruses being transmitted. The viruses can include HIV or hepatitis. Blood goes through a very careful screening before blood transfusions.

The risk of a virus being passed on is very low. Graft-versus-host disease. This is a condition where the new, donated blood cells attack cells in the body. Symptoms such as fever and rash may start within a month of the blood transfusion. Talk to your healthcare provider about which risks may apply to you. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission.

This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview A blood transfusion is a routine medical procedure in which donated blood is provided to you through a narrow tube placed within a vein in your arm. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references What is a blood transfusion?

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Accessed Feb. The process. American Red Cross. Through this line, you receive healthy blood. Blood transfusions usually take 1 to 4 hours to complete. You will be monitored during and after the procedure.

Blood transfusions are usually very safe, because donated blood is carefully tested, handled, and stored. However, there is a small chance that your body may have a mild to severe reaction to the donor blood. Some people have health problems from getting too much iron from frequent transfusions. There is also a very small chance of getting an infectious disease such as hepatitis B or C or HIV through a blood transfusion.

For HIV, that risk is less than one in 1 million. Scientific research and careful medical controls make the supply of donated blood very safe. Blood transfusions are among the most common medical procedures in the nation. We are committed to advancing science and translating discoveries into clinical practice to promote the prevention and treatment of heart, lung, blood, and sleep disorders including the improvement of blood transfusion.

Learn about current and future NHLBI efforts to improve health through research and scientific discovery. Learn about the following ways the NHLBI continues to translate current research into improved health for people who give the gift of life, and for people across the lifespan who need a blood transfusion. In support of our mission , we are committed to advancing blood transfusion research in part through the following ways. We lead or sponsor many studies on blood transfusion.

See whether you or someone you know is eligible to participate in our clinical trials. Learn more about participating in a clinical trial. View all trials from ClinicalTrials. After reading our Blood Transfusion Health Topic, you may be interested in additional information found in the following resources. The focus of the workshop was to identify strategies and research opportunities to foster implementation research t Blood Transfusion. A blood transfusion is a common, safe medical procedure in which healthy blood is given to you through an intravenous IV line that has been inserted in one of your blood vessels.

Research for Your Health.