This site is intended for healthcare professionals

Go to /sign-in page

You can view 5 more pages before signing in

Recognition of acute transfusion reactions

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

recognition of acute transfusion reactions

Category 1: mild reactions

  • signs
    • localized cutaneous reactions (urticaria, rash)
  • symptoms
    • pruritus
  • possible cause
    • hypersensitivity (mild)

Category 2: moderately severe reaction

  • signs
    • flushing
    • urticaria
    • rigors
    • fever
    • restlessness
    • tachycardia
  • symptoms
    • anxiety
    • pruritus
    • palpitations
    • mild dyspnoea
    • headache
  • possible cause
    • hypersensitivity (moderate-severe)
    • febrile non haemolytic transfusion reactions
      • antibodies to white blood cells,platelets
      • antibodies to proteins including IgA
    • possible contamination with pyogens and/or bacteria

Category 3: life threatening reactions

  • signs
    • rigors
    • fever
    • restlessness
    • hypotension (fall of ≥20% in systolic BP)
    • tachycardia (rise of ≥20% in heart rate)
    • haemoglobinuria (red urine)
    • unexplained bleeding (DIC)
  • symptoms
    • anxiety
    • chest pain
    • pain near infusion site
    • respiratory distress/shortness of breath
    • loin/back pain
    • headache
    • dyspnoea
  • possible cause
    • acute intravascular haemolysis
    • bacterial contamination and septic shock
    • fluid overload
    • anaphylaxis
    • transfusion-associated acute lung injury (TRALI)

Reference:

Create an account to add page annotations

Add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation, such as a web address or phone number. This information will always be displayed when you visit this page