Risks of Platelet Transfusion

Platelets are an important component of your blood, because they aid in the process of clotting. Platelet transfusions usually take place with patients who have AIDS, who are undergoing chemotherapy, or who have received a bone marrow transplant. Platelet transfusions can save your life, but they do carry risks that can be life threatening.

Infectious Disease Risks

• Although the risks are quite low due to medical testing, platelet transfusion does carry risks of acquiring an infectious disease. The risk of getting HIV is less than 1:1,900,000 per unit of platelets and the risk of getting Hepatitis C is less than 1:1,000,000 per unit.

Bacterial Infection Risks

• Platelets are stored at room temperature before they are used in a transfusion. If the platelets have been contaminated by bacteria from skin during the donation process, the patient receiving the transfusion can become sick as quickly as a few minutes after beginning the transfusion. Handlers conduct tests to minimize the risk of receiving contaminated platelets.

Viral Infection Risks

• The risk of contracting a viral infection from a platelet transfusion is very low. However, some viruses, such as the West Nile Virus, can be passed on through platelet transfusion. Medical professionals conduct a special test just to check for the presence of this virus in the platelets. The risk of Hepatitis B being transmitted through a transfusion is 1:1,000,000 per unit of platelets.

Reaction Risks

• If a patient receives a transfusion that is incompatible with his body, he runs a risk of reaction. Errors in paperwork, or misidentification of the patient can lead to a patient receiving blood platelets that are not compatible with his blood type. This can cause fever, chest pain, anxiety, nausea, vomiting and hypotension. Another type of reaction can occur in woman, if the Rh positive blood cells are transfused into a woman who is Rh negative. This can lead to complications in future pregnancies.