Besides being beneficial, blood transfusion also carries risks

Blood transfusion involves giving blood to your body. This medical step is done to save your life when the body runs out of blood.

Many benefits of blood transfusion. Even so, the risk you can accept is not low.

In Indonesia, blood transfusion activities are managed by the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI). This organization collects blood bags from donors and then distributes them to hospitals or places that need blood.

Before being distributed, PMI will conduct serological analysis to verify the eligibility of disease-free blood. After that, PMI will also separate blood components, namely red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets and plasma, depending on the type of blood needed.

The blood transfusion process usually takes one to four hours, depending on the composition of the blood and the amount of blood you need. Before the transfusion, blood type and rhesus (donor) and blood recipient status will be matched first.

Benefits of blood transfusion

For those of you who suffer from lack of blood, you really agree with the phrase "a drop of blood is very valuable". What are the conditions that can be helped by blood transfusion?

Blood loss due to childbirth

Some women experience heavy bleeding after giving birth or often referred to as postpartum hemorrhage. This condition can cause anemia (red blood cell deficiency) and cause death. Red blood cell transfusion is required for this condition.
Undergo surgical procedures During surgery, you risk losing a lot of blood, which leads to a decrease in the number of red blood cells.

Infection and burns

Blood plasma transfusion may be needed to treat extensive burns. During a serious infection or sepsis, sometimes a blood transfusion is needed.

Suffers from cancer

Cancer can reduce the production of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets in your body. This is made worse by the drugs used in chemotherapy. Chemotherapy drugs can also reduce blood production.

Failure or severe liver injury

Patients with hepatic insufficiency may need a blood plasma transfusion, especially if the production of blood clots in the body has been disrupted.

Blood disorders

People with blood disorders and patients undergoing stem cell transplants may require transfusion of red blood cells and platelets.

People with thalassemia

Thalassemia is a condition characterized by impaired hemoglobin in red blood cells. If the condition is severe, the patient may need a routine blood transfusion.

What are the risks?
Generally, if done according to procedure, blood transfusions rarely cause complications. But there is always a risk behind this medical step.

fever

Fever reactions can occur quickly during or after a transfusion. Generally, this is not a serious sign. However, there are also serious reactions characterized by fever. Just in case, the doctor will stop the transfusion to carry out additional tests.

allergy

This happens because the immune system reacts to proteins or other substances in the blood that you receive. This reaction usually occurs quickly during or after the transfusion. You will experience common allergic symptoms, such as redness and skin

infection

Before giving blood, everyone should be examined if they have an infection that can be transmitted through blood. However, sometimes mistakes can occur and contaminated blood has successfully passed the test. For example, one in two million blood transfusions is contaminated with the HIV virus and about one in 205,000 transfusions is contaminated with the hepatitis B virus.

Lung lesions

The condition when your lungs will become inflamed within six hours after the transfusion. If inflammation is severe, lung damage can make breathing difficult. And will potentially cause lack of oxygen.

Excess fluid

This condition can prevent the heart from pumping enough blood throughout the body. Shortness of breath can also occur because the lungs are filled with fluid. The risk of excess fluid is higher in older people with serious illnesses, such as heart disease.

Iron overload

Blood transfusion can trigger excess iron in your blood. This can have a negative impact on certain organs, such as the liver and

Graft versus host disease.

This condition occurs when the received white blood cells attack the medullary tissue and the blood tissue that receives blood. This condition is often fatal and causes symptoms such as diarrhea, rashes and fever. Patients with this condition also have liver problems that can be identified by liver function tests.

Most people do not experience problems with blood transfusions. However, if you feel a change in body condition, especially during the process, tell your doctor immediately. Also make sure that your blood transfusion is done in a hospital and under the advice and supervision of a doctor.