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Risks of Blood transfusion

You can only be given blood transfusions using blood from a donor that is compatible with your own. The process of matching blood groups is carried out with great care, so that you receive blood that is as similar to your own as possible. There are, however, rare instances when a reaction might occur due to very rare minor blood group incompatibilities. Blood donations in the UK are carefully monitored and controlled:

• the health of all donors is checked before giving blood,
• every donor is tested for certain infections every time they give blood, and
• any donated blood that fails three tests is discarded. 

Some people experience slight side effects following a blood transfusion, including a raise in temperature, skin rash or headache. These symptoms are usually relieved with paracetamol.

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