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Transfusions have risks. There are infectious (caused by germs) and non-infectious risks of transfusion. Both are important to your health .Risks are constantly changing as new germs emerge and as improved screening, testing and processing is implemented. A partial list of risks is provided for you to discuss with your doctor. You and your doctor should discuss the benefits of a blood transfusion versus the risks of not having one.
| Risk |
Estimated Risk per unit of component |
| Infectious |
Hepatitis B |
<1:82,000
|
| |
Bacterial infection. |
<1:100,000
|
| |
West Nile Virus |
<1:1,000,000
|
| |
Hepatitis C |
about 1:3,000,000
|
| |
HIV or AIDS |
about 1:5,000,000
|
| Non-Infectious |
Allergic - hives |
1:100
|
| |
Fever |
1:300
|
| |
Heart failure (fluid overload) |
1:700
|
| |
Acute Lung Injury |
1:5,000
|
| |
Hemolytic Reaction |
<1:10,000
|
| |
Allergic - anaphylaxis |
<1:20,000
|
Source: Bloody Easy 2 "Blood Transfusion, Blood Alternatives and Transfusion Reactions. A Guide to Transfusion Medicine." 2nd Edition. 2005. Callum JL & Pinkerton PH.
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