Acute & emergency · UKMLA & AKT
Allergic and anaphylactic transfusion reactions
A free high-yield preview for the UKMLA Applied Knowledge Test. Below are the key points to recognise allergic and anaphylactic transfusion reactions — the full SA Note notes add investigations, management, complications and 10 practice questions.
Key high-yield points
- Symptoms begin within minutes of starting transfusion (sometimes after only a few millilitres)
- Anaphylaxis: urticaria, angioedema, bronchospasm/wheeze, hypotension, tachycardia - typically NO fever or haemoglobinuria
- Mild allergic reaction: urticaria only, haemodynamically stable
Fever + haemoglobinuria + back/flank pain + hypotension = acute haemolytic reaction, NOT anaphylaxis. Abdominal/chest/loin pain during transfusion also points to acute haemolytic reaction. These require fundamentally different management.
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