Blood Transfusion Diseases
A blood transfusion is a procedure administered through an intravenous (IV) line into one of your blood vessels to replace blood lost during a major surgery or from a serious injury. Although there are many blood-borne, transfusion-transmitted and related diseases, blood transfusions are a routine medical procedure with almost 5 million Americans having a blood transfusion annually.
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Types & Diseases
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There are three typical types of blood transfusions: red blood cell, platelets and clotting factor and plasma. All three serve different purposes, but pose the same risk of spreading one of the many blood-transfusion transmitted diseases such as hepatitis B and C, HIV, HGV, cryoglobulinemia (abnormal proteins in the blood), Lyme disease, malaria and Chagas disease.
Considerations
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Most blood transfusion reactions occur due to errors made in matching the recipient's blood with that of the blood used for the transfusion. These reactions can be mild or severe, but even the mild reactions can be frightening. If a reaction is occurring, the transfusion can be stopped.
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Timeframe
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The timeframe for whole blood being usable is 42 days. After that, it "expires" and is destroyed as it might not be safe for the use of patients. The blood is routinely tested for commonly known blood-transmitted diseases. If any disease is present, the blood is discarded and the donor is notified that their blood was unusable.
Risk
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Blood transfusions are often administered as a life-saving measure and are not always optional, making the benefit greater then the risk of contracting a disease. With the risk of 1 in 563,000 for contracting HIV, and 1 in 121,000 for contracting Hepatitis C, most people see the benefit of the transfusion outweighing the risk of acquiring a disease.
Warning
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Although the screening process for donated blood has become more sophisticated, there are still instances where an improper match can lead to complications. Itching, hives, wheezing and fever after a blood transfusion may be a sign of a mild reaction and could result in contracting a blood transfusion disease. Discuss any symptoms with a doctor.
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