Thanks to modern blood bank procedures, few people have symptoms after transfusion of blood products. There is still a chance of complications though, even if your child has had a blood transfusion before or gets premedicated before receiving blood. Most reactions are not common and can most often be easily managed.

If your child has symptoms after receiving a blood product, call your doctor or nurse right away.

Symptoms

• Fever over 100.4 degrees F (38 degrees C) by mouth
• Chills, headache, upset belly, loose stools or back pain
• Dark colored urine
• Hives, itching, wheezing or shortness of breath
• Swelling of feet or ankles
• Has a cough that was not there before the transfusion
• Tingling of the hands and feet

Reactions

In rare cases, a delayed reaction can occur three to 10 days after a transfusion. Call your child's doctor if your child gets a fever, becomes pale, or jaundiced (yellow color of skin or whites of eyes).

Other Online Resources

• American Red Cross
• American Association of Blood Banks