The common types of transfusion reactions include:
- Febrile Non-Hemolytic Transfusion Reaction (FNHTR): Characterized by fever and chills, often due to the recipient’s immune response to donor white blood cells or cytokines.
- Allergic Reaction: Ranges from mild (hives, itching) to severe (anaphylaxis), caused by the recipient’s immune response to donor proteins.
- Acute Hemolytic Transfusion Reaction (AHTR): A serious reaction resulting from ABO incompatibility, leading to the destruction of donor red blood cells.
- Delayed Hemolytic Transfusion Reaction (DHTR): Occurs days to weeks after transfusion due to a delayed immune response against donor red blood cells.
- Transfusion-Related Acute Lung Injury (TRALI): A severe reaction causing acute respiratory distress and pulmonary edema.
- Transfusion-Associated Circulatory Overload (TACO): Caused by the rapid infusion of blood products, leading to fluid overload and heart failure.