
Febrile non-hemolytic transfusion reaction (FNHTR) is the most common type of transfusion reaction. It is a benign occurrence with symptoms that include fever but not directly related with hemolysis.
What are the signs of a blood transfusion reaction?
When an urticarial transfusion reaction occurs:
- Immediately stop the transfusion
- Check Vital signs and ask the patient for other symptoms (like trouble breathing or facial/throat swelling, dizziness, chest pain, etc)
- Notify the Provider
- Give IV antihistmine as ordered
- Restart blood if hives resolve and no other signs of allergic reaction develop
What does febrile neutropenia mean?
Febrile neutropenia is defined as a single oral temperature measurement of >101°F (>38.3°C) or a temperature of ≥100.4°F (≥38.0°C) sustained over 1 hour, with an absolute neutrophil count (ANC) of <500 cells/microliter, or an ANC that is expected to decrease to <500 cells/microliter over the next 48 hours. [1]
What are the different types of transfusion reactions?
- Mildallergic:Attributed to hypersensitivity to a foreign protein in the donor product.
- Anaphylactic:Similar to a mild allergic reaction, however resulting in a more severe reaction. ...
- Febrile non-hemolytic: Generally thought to be caused by cytokines released from blood donor leukocytes (white blood cells).
What is febrile reactions?
Febrile reactions. Cause: Fever and chills during transfusion are thought to be caused by recipient antibodies reacting with white cell antigens or white cell fragments in the blood product or due to cytokines which accumulate in the blood product during storage. Fever occurs more commonly with platelet transfusion (10-30%) than red cell ...

What is a febrile reaction to blood transfusion?
Febrile reactions Cause: Fever and chills during transfusion are thought to be caused by recipient antibodies reacting with white cell antigens or white cell fragments in the blood product or due to cytokines which accumulate in the blood product during storage.
What causes a febrile Nonhemolytic transfusion reaction?
Abstract. Most febrile nonhemolytic transfusion reactions (FNHTR) to platelets are caused by cytokines that accumulate in the product during storage. There have been numerous studies that have demonstrated high concentrations of leukocyte- and platelet-derived cytokines in stored platelet products.
What causes a febrile transfusion reaction?
Most febrile reactions that occur during transfusion of red blood cells are caused by the interaction of leukocyte antibodies in the recipient's plasma with donor leukocytes, stimulating the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF).
What are the signs and symptoms of a febrile Nonhemolytic reaction?
Patients present with an unexpected temperature rise (≥38°C or ≥1°C above baseline, if baseline ≥37°C) during or shortly after transfusion. This is usually an isolated finding. The symptoms of an FNHTR may also include chills, rigors, increased respiratory rate, change in blood pressure, anxiety and a headache.
What does Nonhemolytic mean?
Definition of nonhemolytic medical. : not causing or characterized by hemolysis : not hemolytic a nonhemolytic streptococcus.
How do you manage febrile Nonhemolytic transfusion reaction?
In febrile, nonhemolytic reactions, fever usually resolves in 15-30 minutes without specific treatment. If fever causes discomfort, oral acetaminophen (325-500 mg) may be administered. Avoid aspirin because of its prolonged adverse effect on platelet function.
What is febrile reaction?
Clinically, febrile reactions consist of a temperature increase of ≥ 1° C, chills, and sometimes headache and back pain. This can take up to 2 hours to manifest. Simultaneous symptoms of allergic reaction are common.
How can we prevent febrile Nonhemolytic reactions?
The most common approach to preventing FNHTR and allergic reactions is to give the patient premedication with an antipyretic such as paracetamol and an anti-histamine such as diphenydramine. There is very widespread use of these drugs prior to a transfusion.
What are the 5 types of transfusion reactions?
Types of transfusion reactions include the following: acute hemolytic, delayed hemolytic, febrile non-hemolytic, anaphylactic, simple allergic, septic (bacterial contamination), transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI), and transfusion-associated circulatory overload (TACO).
What happens if blood is transfused too fast?
Circulatory overload is the most common acute adverse reaction to transfusion. This usually occurs when the transfusion is administered too rapidly or when an excess volume is transfused and the patient's cardiovascular system is unable to compensate.
What are the four types of blood transfusion reactions?
Types of Transfusion ReactionsAcute hemolytic reactions. ... Simple allergic reactions. ... Anaphylactic reactions. ... Transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI). ... Delayed hemolytic reactions. ... Transfusion-associated circulatory overload (TACO). ... Febrile non-hemolytic reactions. ... Septic (bacteria contamination) reactions.
What is the most common transfusion reaction?
Febrile non-hemolytic transfusion reactions are the most common reaction reported after a transfusion. FNHTR is characterized by fever or chills in the absence of hemolysis (breakdown of red blood cells) occurring in the patient during or up to 4 hours after a transfusion.
What is a febrile nonhemolytic reaction?
Febrile Nonhemolytic Reactions. Febrile nonhemolytic transfusion reactions (FNHTR) are the most common type of transfusion reaction reported to the blood bank. Because their symptoms of fever and chills also occur with acute hemolytic reactions, it is essential to evaluate all such reactions immediately. Most febrile reactions that occur ...
What causes febrile reactions in red blood cells?
Most febrile reactions that occur during transfusion of red blood cells are caused by the interaction of leukocyte antibodies in the recipient’s plasma with donor leukocytes, stimulating the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF).
How to prevent febrile reactions?
The best way to prevent severe febrile reactions is to use prestorage leukocyte reduced red blood cells and apheresis platelets. If a patient continues to have febrile reactions to leukocyte reduced single donor platelets, it may be helpful to remove plasma from the platelet unit immediately prior to transfusion.
Why is it important to report a febrile reaction?
It is important to recognize and report febrile reactions because they may be the first indication of a septic or hemolytic transfusion reaction. A febrile reaction, by itself, is not usually serious, although the patient will have discomfort.
What is the best treatment for febrile hemolytic reaction?
If a patient continues to experience febrile reactions even after receiving leukocyte reduced blood components, it may be necessary to pre-medicate them with acetaminophen and diphenhydramine. Pre-medication should be used judiciously since it may mask the early signs and symptoms of a hemolytic reaction.
What is the FNHTR?
The National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) hemovigilance protocol defines a FNHTR as a fever greater than or equal to 101.4° F (38° C) oral and a change of at least 1.8° F (1° C) from the pretransfusion temperature or chills or rigors that occurs during or within 4 hours of cessation of transfusion. Fever may persist for 8 to 12 hours.
How long does a fever last after a transfusion?
In some patients, headache, flushing, or tachycardia may accompany fever and chills. Patients, who are febrile at the onset of transfusion or have been febrile in the preceding 24 hours, are more prone to febrile reactions. ...
Transfusion reactions & complications
Cite this page: Zheng H, Thomasson R. Febrile nonhemolytic. PathologyOutlines.com website. https://www.pathologyoutlines.com/topic/transfusionmedfebrilenonhemolytic.html. Accessed January 22nd, 2022.
Febrile nonhemolytic
Cite this page: Zheng H, Thomasson R. Febrile nonhemolytic. PathologyOutlines.com website. https://www.pathologyoutlines.com/topic/transfusionmedfebrilenonhemolytic.html. Accessed January 22nd, 2022.
What are the symptoms of a transfusion reaction?
The most common signs and symptoms include fever, chills, urticaria (hives), and itching. Some symptoms resolve with little or no treatment. However, respiratory distress, high fever, hypotension (low blood pressure), and red urine (hemoglobinuria) can indicate a more serious reaction. Transfusion reactions are defined as adverse events associated ...
Why do blood transfusions cause death?
The majority of blood transfusion reactions occur because of a clerical/nursing error. While some reactions can be severe and lead to death, many transfusion reactions are benign. Anaphylactic reactions from a blood transfusion are very rare but often result in a fatality.
What are non-immunologic reactions?
Non-immunologic reactions are usually caused by the physical effects of blood components or the transmission of disease. Bacterial contamination, for example, results in septic transfusion reactions and is caused by bacterial and/or endotoxin contamination of a blood product.
Can transfusion reactions occur during a transfusion?
They range in severity from minor to life-threatening and can occur during a transfusion, termed acute transfusion reactions, or days to weeks later, termed delayed transfusion reactions. Transfusion reactions may be difficult to diagnose as they can present with non-specific, often overlapping symptoms.
Can a transfusion reaction be life threatening?
These may range in severity from minor to life-threatening. Reactions can occur during the transfusion (acute transfusion reactions) or days to weeks later (delayed transfusion reactions) and may be immunologic or non-immunologic. A reaction may be difficult to diagnose as it can present with non-specific, often overlapping symptoms.
Is chills a sign of a septic reaction?
Fever and/or chills are most commonly associated with a febrile, non-hemolytic reaction, however; they can also be the first sign of a more serious acute hemolytic reaction, TRALI, or septic transfusion reaction.
Can antihistamines be given for febrile transfusion?
For example, antihistamines (such as diphenhydramine) can be given for a mild allergic reaction, or an antipyretic can be given for a non-hemolytic febrile transfusion reaction. [9][15] Differential Diagnosis. Anaphylaxis.
What is a febrile non-hemolytic transfusion reaction?
It involves an unexplained rise in temperature during or 4 hours after the transfusion. The fever is part of the person’s white blood cells response to the new blood.
What is anaphylactic transfusion?
Anaphylactic transfusion reaction. Anaphylactic reactions occur in those with immunoglobulin A (IgA) deficiencies and have IgA antibodies in their plasma. The recipient’s anti-IgA antibodies can react with the IgA antibodies in the donor blood.
How many transfusion reactions are fatal?
The incidence of fatal reactions can vary from 1 in 0.6 million to 2.3 million.
How long does it take for a delayed hemolytic reaction to occur?
Reactions can occur between 1 day and 4 weeks. after the transfusion.
What to do if you have a hemolytic reaction?
If a person develops an acute hemolytic transfusion reaction, the doctor or nurse will stop the transfusion. Treatment depends on the severity of the reaction and may include: IV fluids. dialysis.
What are the symptoms of a blood transfusion?
Symptoms of a blood transfusion reaction, while uncommon, include fever, chills, and respiratory distress. According to a 2020 article. Trusted Source. , the most common signs that indicate a person is experiencing an adverse reaction include: a fever. chills.
What causes septic transfusions?
According to a 2012 article, septic transfusion reactions typically occur due to bacterial contamination of the donor blood components, most commonly from the platelet products. The bacteria in platelets that can cause a septic transfusion reaction include Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis.
