This is a relatively common reaction complicating 0.5-1% of all transfusions, and occurring particularly in patients who have previously had transfusions or who have been pregnant.
NHFTR is characterised by fevers and/or rigors which occur during the transfusion or soon after, as a result of antibodies to white cells in the donor blood.
The transfusion should be stopped.
Recurrence is prevented either by giving hydrocortisone and chlorphenamine (piriton) prophylactically, or by using blood from which the leucocytes have been removed by filtration.
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