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  • Medha Shinde
    • Jan 9
    • 4 min read

How Do Blood Transfusions Work?

A blood transfusion is a standard procedure in which donated blood or blood components are given to you through an intravenous line (IV). A blood transfusion is given to replace blood and blood components that may be too low.


Blood transfusions usually occur without complications. When complications do occur, they're typically mild.


When does one require a blood transfusion?


This potentially life-saving technique can assist in replacing blood lost as a result of trauma or surgery. If you have a disease that stops your body from adequately producing blood or specific components of blood, a blood transfusion may also be helpful. You require transfusions if you have certain medical conditions, such as:


Blood has several components, including:

  • Red cells carry oxygen and help remove waste products

  • White cells help your body fight infections

  • Plasma is the liquid part of your blood

  • Platelets help your blood clot properly


Red blood cells are the most often transfused blood type, and a transfusion gives you the necessary components or sections of blood. Although whole blood transfusions are uncommon, you can still obtain whole blood comprising all the components.


Separation of components of blood during blood transfusions.


The Procedure


Where does the blood come from?


Usually, an anonymous donor provides the blood, which hospitals can utilize however they see fit. Blood is kept in a blood bank until a transfusion is required. However, occasionally, someone gives blood so that a friend or loved one will immediately benefit. Additionally, you can bank your blood for a future procedure.


Preparing before blood transfusion:


Before a transfusion, a blood test will be performed to ascertain your blood type—A, B, AB, or O—and whether it is Rh-positive or Rh-negative. Your transfusion needs to use donated blood that matches your blood type.


Tell your healthcare provider if you've had a reaction to a blood transfusion in the past.

Blood transfusions are usually done in a hospital, an outpatient clinic, or a doctor's office. The procedure usually takes one to four hours, depending on the parts of blood you receive and the amount of blood you require. Before elective surgery, you may be able to give blood for yourself in certain circumstances, but most transfusions require blood from strangers. Making sure you receive the correct blood will be ensured via an identity check.


During the procedure:


An intravenous (IV) line with a needle is inserted into one of your blood vessels. The donated blood in a plastic bag enters your bloodstream through the IV. It usually takes one to four hours, and you will sit or lie down. A nurse will monitor you throughout the process and take your temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure. Inform the nurse right away if you experience:

  • Fever

  • Shortness of breath

  • Chills

  • Unusual itching

  • Chest or back pain

  • A sense of uneasiness


The needle and IV line will be removed. You might develop a bruise around the needle site, but this should go away in a few days.



After the procedure:


You might need further blood testing to see how your body responds to the donor blood and to check your blood counts. Some conditions require more than one blood transfusion. Some have chills, a rash, or a temperature. Usually, paracetamol or slowing down the transfusion are used to treat this. For a few days later, your hand or arm could hurt and be bruised. Within 24 hours of receiving a blood transfusion, if you feel ill, see a doctor, especially if you have chest or back discomfort or difficulty breathing.


It is necessary to contact a healthcare provider if any of the following side effects occur:

  • Bleeding, pain, or new bruising at the IV site.

  • Cold and clammy skin, fever, or chills.

  • Dark or reddish urine.

  • Fast heartbeat, chest pain, trouble breathing, or wheezing.

  • Headache, dizziness, nausea, or vomiting.

  • Rash, hives, or itching.

  • Severe back pain.


Risks of Blood Transfusion


During the screening procedure during a blood transfusion, there is a slight chance that something will go unnoticed despite all the safety measures. But there's an extremely slim chance that this will occur. For instance, following a transfusion, your risk of contracting specific diseases is:

  • HIV: 1 in 1.5 million donations.

  • Hepatitis C: 1 in 1.2 million donations.

  • Hepatitis B: 1 in 293,000 donations.

  • Bacterial contamination: 1 in 100,000 transfusions.


You’re more likely to get struck by lightning than to get a disease from a transfusion. Transfusions are now relatively safe thanks to the safety measures taken by medical professionals. 


Other severe reactions,  also very rare, include:

  • Acute immune hemolytic reaction. Because the donor's blood type is not a suitable match, your immune system targets the transfused red blood cells. The injured cells release a chemical into your bloodstream that damages your kidneys.

  • Delayed hemolytic reaction. Though it happens more slowly, this reaction resembles an acute immunological hemolytic reaction. Red blood cell numbers can drop throughout one to four weeks.

  • Graft-versus-host disease. White blood cells from transfusions attack your bone marrow in this situation. Usually lethal, it primarily affects those with significantly compromised immune systems, such as those undergoing treatment for lymphoma or leukemia.



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