WHAT IS BLOOD TRANSFUSION?
Is the transfer of blood or blood components into a person’s bloodstream, or a safe common procedure in which you receive blood through an intravenous (IV) line into one of your blood vessels.
HOW BLOOD TRANSFUSION OCCUR?
During a blood transfusion a small needle is used to insert an (IV) line into one of your blood vessels through this line, you receive healthy blood. The procedure usually takes one to four hours depending on how much blood you need.
WHAT HAPPENS BEFORE BLOOD TRANSFUSION?
Before a blood transfusion a technician test your blood to find out your blood type (A,B,AB OR O) and whether you are Rh-positive or Rh-negative he or she pricks your finger with a needle to get a few of blood or draws blood from one of your veins the blood type used for your transfusion must work with your blood type, if it does not antibodies(PROTEIN) in your blood attack the new blood and make you sick.
Some people have allergic reactions even when the donated blood does work with their own blood type, to prevent this; your doctor may prescribe a medicine to stop allergic reaction
THREE IMPORTANT TYPE OF TRANSFUSION ARE:
i. Red blood cell (RBC) transfusion ii. Platelet transfusion iii. Clotting factor transfusion
· Red blood cell (RBC) is the most common type of transfusion, it helps people who lose large amount of blood in accidents or surgery, before an RBC transfusion samples of the patients and donor's blood are mixed to check for a harmful reaction this test is called Cross-match
HOW BLOOD IS COLLECTED
Donors must meet strict health requirements before giving blood. Blood banks test donors for normal blood pressure, body temperature, and pulse. Blood banks also ask donors about illness, foreign travel ‘or other factors that might indicate unsafe blood. Donors must be at least 17 YEAS OLD and weigh 110 pounds (50 KILOGRAMS).A person can usually donate a unit of blood every two months.