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Allergic transfusion reaction
From WikEM
Contents
Background
- Occurs due to immune response to plasma proteins
- Reaction severity not dose-related
Clinical Features
- Symptoms range from urticaria/pruritus to bronchospasm, wheezing, anaphylaxis (rare)
Differential Diagnosis
Transfusion Reaction Types
- Acute
- Delayed
Acute allergic reaction
- Allergic reaction/urticaria
- Anaphylaxis
- Angioedema
- Asthma exacerbation
- Anxiety attack
- Scombroid
- Cold urticaria
- Contrast induced allergic reaction
- Shock
- Transfusion reaction
- Carcinoid syndrome
Evaluation
- May need to rule out hemolysis - see transfusion reaction
Management
- Stop transfusion until able to evaluate severity of allergic reaction
- Give diphenhydramine
- Restart transfusion if symptoms are mild