A blood transfusion is a common procedure where you are given blood from a donor. A doner is someone that has donated their blood to hospitals. It is a safe and lifesaving procedure.
Why someone may need a blood transfusion
There are a few reasons as to why someone may need a blood transfusion. It may be that you have a shortage of red blood cells. This could be because you’re not making enough red blood cells. It may also be because you have lost a lot of blood. For example, you may need a blood transfusion if you have suffered severe bleeding from childbirth, surgery or from a serious accident.
Some medical conditions may cause you to need a blood transfusion such as sickle cell disease and thalassaemia. These conditions affect the way your red blood cells work. Also, some types of cancer or cancer treatments can affect your blood cells including stem cell transplants, chemotherapy or leukaemia.
A blood transfusion can help by replacing the liquid or cells found in blood like red blood cells, platelets or plasma. It can also replace any blood you may have lost.
How it is done
First of all, they will check your blood group to see whether your group type is A, B, AB OR O. Also, whether your blood is Rh positive or Rh negative. This is important as they can only give you blood that is safe for someone with your blood group. You will be given a consent form for you to sign before having a blood transfusion. They will also check your blood pressure, pulse and temperature before your transfusion.
You may be sitting down or lying down in a chair or bed and they insert a needle with an intravenous (IV) line into a vein in your arm. The donor blood from the bag will go through the IV line into your blood vessels. Blood transfusions can take up to 4 hours for one bag but are usually quicker. You will be monitored throughout the blood transfusion by a nurse checking your blood pressure, temperature and heart rate.
After the procedure the needle and IV line will be removed. You may develop a bruise where the needle was inserted but this will go away in a few days. Usually, you can go home soon after a blood transfusion unless you need a lot of blood or are seriously unwell.
Symptoms to look out for
Even though a nurse will be monitoring you throughout the blood transfusion you should tell your nurse immediately if you develop any of these symptoms,
- Fever
- Chills
- Shortness of breath
- Chest or back pain
- A sense of uneasiness
- Unusual itching
Risks
Although blood transfusions are common and very safe procedures there are some very small risks of complications. Complications such as an allergic reaction to the donor blood or problems with your heart, lungs or immune system. These risks are explained before the blood transfusion unless this isn’t possible for example in an emergency where you need the transfusion immediately. All donor blood is checked and tested before use. This is to make sure it does not contain any serious infections such as HIV or hepatitis.
A blood transfusion is only recommended if it is necessary and if other treatments will not help. If it may be possible that you need a transfusion, for example you need surgery or have anaemia, they may give you medicine. Medicine such as tranexamic acid lowers your risk of bleeding. You may be given iron tablets or injections to boost your red blood cells. These can lower your chances of needing a blood transfusion.
Other serious reactions
Although these are also very rare these are some other reactions,
Acute immune hemolytic reaction. This is where your immune system attacks the red blood cells from the transfusion. This happens when the donor blood is not a good match to you. It can harm your kidneys as attacked cells release a substance into your blood which harms your kidneys.
Delayed hemolytic reaction. Similar to Acute immune hemolytic reaction but this reaction is usually slower. It can take up to 4 weeks to detect the decrease in red blood cells.
Graft-versus-host disease. With this condition your bone marrow gets attacked by the transfused white blood cells. It can be very fatal but it is most likely to affect those who have severely weak immune systems.
Benefits of a blood transfusion
Blood is a very important part of your body, if you don’t have enough blood or one of the components of blood it could be life threatening. The importance of the blood and components are,
- Red blood cells carry oxygen throughout your body to your heart and brain. Oxygen is very important for your body and to maintain life.
- Platelets prevent and control your bleeding when you have a low blood platelet count.
- Plasma and cryoprecipitate also help with controlling and preventing bleeding.
Who can donate blood and how?
Who can donate?
Most people can donate blood as long as they are,
- Healthy and fit
- Weigh between 7 stone 12lb and 25 stone (50kg and 158kg)
- Aged between 17 and 66 although it can be up to age 70 if you’ve donated blood before
You can check online if you are able to donate blood. Some common reasons why you should check if eligible are
- If you are having hospital or medical treatment
- Taking medication
- Travelled out of the UK
- Have had a tattoo or piercing
- If you feel ill
- you have cancer
- If you have received a blood transfusion or organs
- During and after pregnancy
You cannot donate blood if you think you need a test for HIV or have tested positive for HIV. Also, you can’t if you are a carrier for hepatitis B or C or are HTLV positive. You must never donate if you have previously been injected with drugs.
How to donate
If you have checked if you’re eligible to donate then you can register your interest online or by phone. You can then get an appointment booked to go and donate blood once you have been confirmed. At your first appointment they will confirm your ID and confirm your donor health check form. They then will test a drop of blood from your finger for your iron levels. They will then let you know whether or not you can donate blood.