What is a transfusion reaction, and why does it happen?
What are its possible consequences?

A transfusion reaction is an adverse response that occurs when a patient receives incompatible blood or blood products. It happens because the recipient's immune system recognizes donor blood cells or proteins as foreign and mounts an immune response, leading to symptoms ranging from mild fever to severe complications.

Transfusion reactions primarily occur due to blood type incompatibility, such as mismatched ABO or Rh antigens, or immune sensitization to donor leukocytes or plasma proteins. Other causes include bacterial contamination or allergic responses to transfused components.

Possible consequences range from mild allergic reactions and fever to serious outcomes like hemolysis, kidney failure, shock, or even death. Prompt recognition and management are critical to prevent severe complications and ensure patient safety.