Education

Specific Reactions

When looking at possible transfusion reactions, I find it easiest to categorize them by timing (acute vs. chronic) and by the presence or absence of fever.

 ACUTE FEBRILE REACTIONS   ACUTE AFEBRILE REACTIONS 
 Acute Hemolytic Reactions  Urticarial Reactions
 Febrile Nonhemolytic Reactions  Anaphylactic Reactions
 Bacterial Contamination  Anaphylactoid Reactions
 TRALI  Circulatory Overload
   
 CHRONIC FEBRILE REACTIONS        CHRONIC AFEBRILE REACTIONS
 Delayed Hemolytic Reactions  Post-Transfusion Purpura
 TA-GVHD  Iron Overload

The top two categories above are reactions that typically occur either during the transfusion or within the first 24 hours afterward. I call them "acute" reactions even though the actual word "acute" is only a part of the name of one of the reactions. Then, the acute reactions are further subdivided based on whether or not they typically occur in association with a temperature increase. Obviously, the two bottom categories are similarly subdivided as to presence or absence of fever; also, they represent reactions that typically occur more than 24 hours after the transfusion.

After you go through each of these reactions, you can come back to this page by clicking a link at the bottom of each page. This is a work in progress, so forgive me that all of the sections are not yet ready.

Also, you can check out a handy-dandy chart that I have put together outlining the basic details of each type of reaction.

Back to Transfusion Reaction Index.