Signs of blood transfusion reaction (1067)

Description

Your child had a blood or a blood product transfusion.  It may have been:

• Red blood cells
• Platelets
• Clotting factors 
• Immune globulin  

Sometimes, a transfusion may cause a reaction.  Most often it will happen during the transfusion or during the first 24 hours after the transfusion.

Reactions

Possible reactions include: 

• Chills or shaking.
• Changes in blood pressure 
  (high or low) • Fever of 101.3 F (38.5 C) or higher.
• Feel faint or not feeling well.
• Vomiting
• Headache.
• Pink or red urine.
• Hard to breathe or cough.
• Stomach, side or back pain.
• Skin rash.
• Red, raised areas on the skin on the body.  These may be hives or welts and may itch.
• Change in urine color.

If your child has one or more of these or other problems, call the doctor or nurse right away.

Special directions

• If your child had a reaction to a blood transfusion in the past, it is important to tell your child’s doctor and nurse before they have another transfusion.
• Tell your child’s doctor and nurse about any medicines your child takes before blood transfusions.