Signs of Blood Transfusion Reaction

Signs of Blood Transfusion Reaction

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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.

ALERT

Call your child’s doctor, nurse, or clinic if you have any questions or concerns or if your child has special health care needs that were not covered by this information.