Risks of Blood Sharing: Diseases, Incompatibility, and Complications
Blood sharing (transfusion or informal) carries serious risks without rigorous screening and medical oversight.
Major Risks
- Infectious disease transmission: HIV, HBV, HCV, syphilis, HTLV, West Nile, Zika, bacteria (sepsis), parasites (malaria, Chagas).
- ABO/Rh incompatibility: Acute hemolytic transfusion reaction → renal failure, DIC, death.
- Bacterial contamination: Platelets (stored at room temp) highest risk; sepsis.
- Alloimmunization: Antibodies to donor RBC antigens → delayed hemolytic reactions, HDFN in pregnancy, difficult future crossmatches.
- Transfusion-associated circulatory overload (TACO): Volume overload → pulmonary edema.
- Iron overload: Chronic transfusions → organ damage (liver, heart, pancreas).
- TRALI: Donor anti-HLA/anti-granulocyte antibodies → acute lung injury.
- GVHD: Donor T-cells attack recipient (immunocompromised); prevented by irradiation.
Safety in Medical Transfusion
- Donor screening, NAT testing, leukoreduction, irradiation, ABO matching, patient blood management.
- Never share blood outside regulated blood banking systems.
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