Verireaktiot

Verireaktiot refers to adverse reactions that can occur following a blood transfusion. These reactions can range in severity from mild to life-threatening. They are generally classified based on their timing (immediate or delayed) and the underlying cause. Immediate reactions typically occur within minutes to hours of the transfusion, while delayed reactions can manifest days, weeks, or even months later.

Common causes of transfusion reactions include immunological responses, such as alloimmunization where the recipient's immune system reacts to foreign antigens on the donor's red blood cells or plasma proteins. This can lead to hemolytic transfusion reactions, characterized by the destruction of transfused red blood cells. Other immunological reactions include febrile non-hemolytic transfusion reactions (FNHTRs), which are common and usually involve fever and chills, and allergic reactions, which can present as hives, itching, or, in severe cases, anaphylaxis.

Non-immunological causes can also lead to verireaktiot. Transfusion-associated circulatory overload (TACO) occurs when the volume of transfused blood exceeds the patient's circulatory capacity, leading to symptoms of fluid overload. Transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) is a serious condition where antibodies in donor plasma activate recipient white blood cells, causing lung inflammation. Bacterial contamination of blood products can also cause sepsis, a severe systemic infection.

Management of verireaktiot involves prompt recognition, cessation of the transfusion, and supportive care. Diagnostic investigations are crucial to identify the specific type of reaction and guide further treatment and prevention strategies. Careful donor-recipient matching and appropriate screening of blood products are essential in minimizing the risk of these adverse events.