What infectious diseases can be acquired from a blood transfusion?

Blood transfusions are a lifesaving medical procedure that involves the transfer of blood or blood products from one person (the donor) to another person (the recipient). While blood transfusions are generally safe, there is a small risk of acquiring infectious diseases through the transfused blood.

Some of the infectious diseases that can be transmitted through blood transfusion include:

1) Hepatitis B virus (HBV): HBV can cause liver inflammation and damage. In some cases, HBV can lead to chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, and liver cancer.

2) Hepatitis C virus (HCV): HCV is a liver infection that can also lead to chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, and liver cancer.

3) Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV): HIV is the virus that causes AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). HIV weakens the immune system, making the body more susceptible to other infections and diseases.

4) Cytomegalovirus (CMV): CMV is a herpesvirus that can cause flu-like symptoms, fatigue, and inflammation in various organs, especially in individuals with weakened immune systems.

5) Epstein-Barr virus (EBV): EBV is another herpesvirus that can cause infectious mononucleosis ("mono") characterized by fever, sore throat, swollen lymph nodes, and fatigue.

6) Human T-lymphotropic virus (HTLV-1 and HTLV-2): HTLV-1 and HTLV-2 are retroviruses that can cause a rare type of T-cell leukemia and other serious conditions.

7) Bacterial infections: In rare cases, bacteria may contaminate the blood during the collection or processing of blood products, leading to infections such as sepsis or bacterial meningitis.

To minimize the risk of infectious disease transmission through blood transfusion, stringent measures are followed in blood banks and hospitals. These measures include thorough screening of blood donors, testing of donated blood for various pathogens, and implementing quality control procedures during blood collection, storage, and transfusion.