Blood Transfusion, Know the Benefits and Risks

Blood transfusion is done when the body lacks blood, for example due to injury or certain diseases. Although important to do, blood transfusions also have risks. Therefore, it is important to know what are the benefits and risks of blood transfusions.

When the body loses a lot of blood, the function of tissues and organs can be disrupted due to reduced intake of oxygen and nutrients that are normally carried by red blood cells. Therefore, a blood transfusion is needed to overcome it.

Blood transfusions are generally obtained from blood donated by healthy donors.

After that, the donated blood will be separated into red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets or platelets, and blood plasma. . However, sometimes whole blood is given.

The process of blood transfusion generally lasts 1–4 hours, depending on the composition of the blood received and the amount of blood needed. The process of blood transfusion also needs to adjust blood type and rhesus between the donor and recipient of blood.

Various Benefits of Blood Transfusions

Blood transfusions have various benefits. This procedure is often needed to treat certain diseases or medical conditions, including:

1. Bleeding

People who experience heavy bleeding usually need a blood transfusion to replace the blood lost from the body. If he doesn't get additional fluids and blood immediately, he can experience complications in the form of shock, even death. severity, and rupture of esophageal varices.

2. Anemia

Red blood cell transfusion is generally needed to treat severe anemia, either due to iron deficiency anemia or aplastic anemia. Anemia is a blood deficiency disease because the body lacks hemoglobin, which is a protein that functions to transport oxygen throughout the body. Anemia sufferers will usually need blood transfusions when their hemoglobin count is too low or less than 8 g/dL of bleeding./p>

3. Blood disorders

Patients with blood disorders, such as hemophilia, or patients who have undergone stem cell transplantation are usually more prone to experiencing blood deficiency. Therefore, blood transfusions are often done to treat this condition.

4. Thalassemia

Thalassaemia is a disorder that causes the hemoglobin in red blood cells to be destroyed more quickly, so it cannot transport oxygen properly. The condition caused by this genetic disorder will often make the sufferer experience anemia.

To supplement the insufficient blood intake, people with thalassemia usually require regular blood transfusions.

5. Infections and burns

Blood plasma transfusions are also needed as a treatment for people who have severe or extensive burns. In certain cases, blood transfusions also need to be done for patients with severe infections or sepsis because sufferers often experience anemia.

6. Cancer

Some types of cancer, such as blood cancer and lymphoma, can damage and reduce the number of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.

Therefore, a transfusion blood will generally be done to meet the needs of blood in patients with blood cancer (leukemia).

7. Liver or kidney failure

Patients with severe liver dysfunction or liver failure are at high risk of experiencing bleeding disorders and anemia. To treat this condition, the doctor will give a blood transfusion. Blood disorders in patients with liver failure can usually be treated with a liver transplant.

Blood transfusions are also generally needed by patients with severe kidney failure whose bodies can no longer produce enough red blood cells. This condition is usually due to kidney failure which has caused the body to lack a blood-producing hormone called erythropoietin.

8. COVID-19

Various studies so far have also stated that administration of blood plasma from COVID-19 survivors can treat patients infected with the Corona virus, especially those experiencing severe symptoms. This type of transfusion is called convalescent plasma therapy.

Risks of Blood Transfusions

While they are useful for treating certain conditions or diseases, blood transfusions can sometimes also pose risks or side effects. These risks can be mild, but can be quite dangerous and potentially life threatening.

The following are some of the risks of blood transfusions:

1. Fever

A febrile reaction can occur within hours of a person receiving a blood transfusion. This is quite common and not always dangerous.

However, a febrile reaction after a blood transfusion can be dangerous if it is accompanied by other symptoms, such as chest pain, shortness of breath, fainting, or coma. This condition needs to get medical treatment as soon as possible by a doctor.

2. Allergies

Persons who receive blood transfusions may experience allergic reactions to certain proteins or substances present in the donor's blood. Symptoms of allergies that appear generally are skin that looks red, swollen, and itchy.

3. Infection

Blood given for transfusion should ideally be of good quality and not contain certain viruses, germs or parasites, such as malaria, HIV and hepatitis B.

To be sure , blood donors will be checked whether there are germs or viruses that cause the disease. If it is declared safe and free from disease, the blood can be used for transfusion.

However, sometimes these tests are not able to detect disease accurately, so that the recipient of the blood could be infected with HIV or hepatitis B. However, this risk relatively small.

4. Excess fluid

Blood transfusions can cause the body to over fluid, resulting in a buildup of fluid in the organs or tissues of the body.

5. Iron overload

Blood transfusions can cause the body to have excess iron in the blood, especially if very large amounts of blood are given. This can have a negative impact on certain organs, such as the liver and heart.

6. graft-versus-host disease

graft-versus-host disease can occur when white blood cells received from donor blood attack the tissues blood recipients, such as bone marrow. These complications can occur when the recipient of the blood has a weakened immune system.

Blood transfusions can be used as a treatment for an illness or to treat a life-threatening condition, but the procedure can also carry some risks. Even so, before deciding to recommend this action, the doctor has considered the benefits and risks of blood transfusions for you.

If you experience complaints after receiving a blood transfusion, for example fever or an allergic reaction appears, immediately consult a doctor so that appropriate inspection and handling can be carried out.

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