Allergy

• Minor allergic reaction is thought to be caused by foreign plasma proteins
• Anaphylaxis can be caused by patients with IgA deficiency who have anti-IgA antibodies

Presentation

• Ranges from urticaria to angioedema and anaphylaxis

Management

• Stop the transfusion, give saline, adrenaline (in case of anaphylaxis), chlorphenamine, and hydrocortisone

Acute haemolytic transfusion reaction

• Caused by giving an incompatible blood bag to a patient

Presentation

• Early signs include fever, abdominal pain, hypotension and anxiety
• Late complications include generalised bleeding secondary to DIC

Management

• Stop the transfusion, give saline, treat DIC

Febrile non-haemolytic transfusion reaction

• Thought to be caused by antibodies reacting with white cell fragments in the blood product and cytokines that have leaked from the blood cell during storage

Presentation

• Presents with fever, rigors/chills, but patients are otherwise well

Management

• Slow the transfusion, give paracetamol