What do blood transfusions feel like

Reasons People Receive Transfusions. History of Blood Transfusions. What Happens to Donated Blood. Blood Transfusions. Risks and Complications. Some of the most common complications in blood transfusions are listed below. Allergic Reactions Some people have allergic reactions to blood received during a transfusion, even when given the right blood type.

Fever Developing a fever after a transfusion is not serious. Blood-borne Infections All donated blood is screened and tested for potential viruses, bacteria, and parasites. All donated blood is thoroughly tested for HIV.

The needle and IV line will be removed. You might develop a bruise around the needle site, but this should go away in a few days. Contact your health care provider if you develop shortness of breath or chest or back pain in the days immediately following a blood transfusion. You might need further blood testing to see how your body is responding to the donor blood and to check your blood counts.

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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. The blood bank may take 2 to 4 hours to process the test. It may take longer if you have unexpected results. Your healthcare provider will use the results of your type and screen to make sure the blood or blood cells you get during your transfusion are safe for you.

Your healthcare provide will also talk with you about risks associated with having a blood transfusion. The most common reactions are a fever of These can be treated with medication. Transfusion reactions are rarely life-threatening.

A transfusion of one unit of red blood cells usually takes 2 to 4 hours. A transfusion of one unit of platelets takes about 30 to 60 minutes. Your nurse will monitor you carefully during your entire transfusion. If you got your blood transfusion through a vein in your arm or leg, you may have some bruising or irritation in the area where the needle was.

If the bruising or irritation is bad, call your healthcare provider. Blood transfusions can cause an allergic reaction up to 2 days after the transfusion. Call your healthcare provider if you have any of the reactions below. Your feedback will help us improve the information we provide to patients and caregivers. We read every comment, but we're not able to respond.

If you have questions about your care, contact your healthcare provider. For more resources, visit www. Back to top About Blood Blood is made up of plasma, red blood cells, platelets, and white blood cells.