Every year, more than 4 million American kids and adults receive
blood transfusions. In fact, blood transfusions help save lives
each day! But what is a transfusion and why would someone need
one?
What Is a Transfusion?
A blood transfusion (say: trans-
few
-zyun) is a way of giving one person's blood to someone
else who needs it. When you need blood, you
really
need it because your body won't work right without enough
healthy blood. Your heart pumps blood through blood vessels that
reach every organ and tissue in the body. One of the blood's
most important jobs is to deliver oxygen to each cell in the body.
And without oxygen, the body can't stay alive.
Blood transfusions are possible because volunteers donate their
blood. That makes it available at hospitals. It may sound
creepy to donate blood, but it's safe and no big deal for a
healthy person to donate a small amount - usually 1 pint (473
milliliters). Your mom or dad might have done this. Kids don't
usually donate blood, but it's a good thing to do when
you're older.
Healthy, donated blood is very valuable stuff. They even call
the place that collects it the blood bank. Get it? A bank is a safe
place for money and other valuables.
People who have certain illnesses such as hepatitis or HIV
infection aren't allowed to donate blood, because they could
pass their sickness on to another person through a blood
transfusion. After blood is collected, blood banks test it very
carefully to make sure the blood is free of diseases and germs. The
blood bank discards any blood that could make someone sick.
Blood banks are also very careful not to contaminate stuff like
needles. People who collect the blood are sure to use a new needle
and fresh collection equipment for every donor. That way, even if
someone's blood was infected, it can't be spread to other
people or contaminate other healthy blood at the blood bank.
Why Are Transfusions Done?
Transfusions are often needed to save the lives of kids and
adults who have life-threatening medical problems. A person might
need blood if they've been in a bad accident, had surgery that
caused blood loss, or have a certain disease, such as cancer or
sickle cell anemia. Little babies that are born too early also
might need transfusions to stay healthy while they grow.
In a transfusion, a person might get whole blood - meaning they
receive blood just as it came out of the person who donated it. But
usually someone needs only part of the blood. Blood has different
parts, or components and each has a job to do:
-
Plasma
is a yellowish, watery liquid that holds red blood cells, white
blood cells, and platelets.
-
Red blood cells
pick up oxygen in your lungs and then move to your
heart so that oxygen is pumped all over your body.
-
White blood cells
fight off germs that make your body sick.
-
Platelets
are cells that make your cuts stop bleeding. They stick together
and plug up the cut blood vessel so that no more blood will flow
out.
Red blood cells, plasma, and platelets are commonly used in
transfusions. Red blood cells help people who have lost a lot
of blood or are anemic. Doctors and nurses give people plasma
if they are bleeding too much, and platelets help people with
certain types of cancers or bleeding problems.
Not Just Any Blood Will Do
Hospitals have to be careful when they give a blood transfusion.
People have different blood types - and not all blood will work in
all people. Do you know your blood type? Your mom or dad might.
But don't worry if no one knows. If you ever need blood, the
hospital would very quickly find out your blood type and may even
do additional tests to make sure you get the right kind of blood.
The blood will be tested against your blood before it is given to
make sure it is compatible with your blood.
What Happens During a Transfusion?
Before a person gets blood, they need to give a little. Why? So
the blood sample can be tested to determine its type and the best
match from the blood bank. To get the sample, an IV - or
intravenous (say: in-truh-
vee
-nus) - catheter (a tiny straw-like tube that goes into the
vein) will be inserted into a vein in the person's hand or arm.
It will feel like a small pinch. The blood will be drawn through
this catheter, which is attached to a syringe.
The IV will be taped carefully in place so that it can be used
to give the blood when it is ready. A nurse will bring in a bag of
the blood that has been specially selected for the person. The bag
will hang on a pole near the hospital bed and a tube will be
inserted into the bag. The bag of blood is usually warmed before
going into the person's body. Then the blood can travel from
the bag, through the IV, and into the person's blood
vessels.
Most of the time, the person doesn't feel any discomfort
when the blood goes in. During the transfusion, nurses and others
will make sure the person feels OK. A nurse keeps an eye on the
person's temperature and blood pressure. The nurse also looks
to make sure there's no rash or other signs of an allergic
reaction.
Transfusions can be done very quickly, if necessary, like in an
emergency situation. But when it's not an emergency, the
transfusion can happen more slowly, taking a few hours to finish.
When the transfusion's done, the person has taken a big step
toward being healthy and feeling good again.
Reviewed by:
Kate M. Cronan, MD
Date reviewed: December 2008
Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice,
diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.
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