What Is a Blood Transfusion?
Medical ProceduresSurgical Procedures

What Is a Blood Transfusion?

More than 4.5 million Americans undergo this procedure every year.
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Updated on August 21, 2023
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A blood transfusion is a procedure during which donated blood is added to your own blood in your body.

Blood transfusions boost blood levels that are low.

You may need a blood transfusion due to surgery, bleeding, injury, cancer, infection, a blood disorder, a liver problem, or another type of health concern.

Blood contains components such as red blood cells, white blood cells, plasma, and platelets.

A blood transfusion may provide you with whole blood, or with the parts of blood that are most helpful to you.

Sometimes a blood transfusion is performed with your own blood that you’ve donated ahead of time.

The blood given in a transfusion must be compatible with your blood type. Your blood will be tested to determine if it’s A, B, AB, or O, and if it’s Rh positive or Rh negative.

Blood banks carefully screen donated blood to identify blood type.

They also test for infectious diseases such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which can be transmitted during a transfusion.

More than 4.5 million Americans need a blood transfusion each year.

Blood Transfusion Procedure

Blood transfusions are typically performed in a hospital, doctor’s office, or other medical facility.

First, an intravenous (IV) line is placed in a vein, typically in an arm. Then blood or blood components that are stored in a plastic bag are delivered through the IV into your bloodstream.

The blood transfusion typically takes one to four hours.

Tell your doctor or nurse immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms during your transfusion:

  • Shortness of breath
  • Fever or chills
  • Pain at the infusion site
  • Unusual itching
  • A sense of uneasiness

Before a Blood Transfusion

You won’t need to change your diet or limit any activities before receiving a blood transfusion.

Let your doctor know if you’ve had a transfusion in the past that caused an adverse reaction.

After a Blood Transfusion

After the blood transfusion procedure, you may develop bruising where the needle was inserted.

You may need more blood testing to check how your body is responding to the transfusion.

Blood Transfusion Risks

Blood transfusions are considered safe, but certain complications can happen during or after the procedure. These include:

  • Allergic reaction (anaphylaxis)
  • Fever
  • Lung injury
  • Acute immune hemolytic reaction (occurs when the body suddenly attacks donor red blood cells)
  • Delayed hemolytic reaction (occurs when the body gradually attacks donor red blood cells)
  • Bloodborne infections such as HIV, hepatitis B, or hepatitis C
  • Iron overload (too much iron in the blood), often the result of repeated blood transfusions
  • Graft-versus-host disease (occurs when donor white blood cells attack the recipient’s bone marrow); this is very rare, typically occurring in immunocompromised patients
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Natalia Johnsen, MD

Medical Reviewer
Member of American College of Lifestyle Medicine

Natalia Johnsen, MD, is a triple board-certified physician in internal medicine, lifestyle medicine, and obesity medicine, practicing as an internist and consultant at the Vancouver Clinic in Vancouver, Washington.

Dr. Johnsen began her medical career as an ob-gyn in Russia before relocating to the United States in 2000. She completed her internal medicine internship at the University of Nevada and her residency at a Stanford-affiliated program in Santa Clara, California.

Deeply interested in the impact of lifestyle on both physical and mental health, Johnsen transitioned her focus toward prevention-based care after witnessing how many chronic conditions could be avoided or improved through lifestyle interventions. She became board-certified in lifestyle medicine in 2021 and further expanded her expertise by earning board certification in obesity medicine in 2025.

Johnsen is passionate about empowering patients with evidence-based tools to achieve sustainable health and long-term well-being.

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Julie Marks is a freelance writer with more than 20 years of experience covering health, lifestyle, and science topics. In addition to writing for Everyday Health, her work has been featured in WebMD, SELF, Healthline, A&E, Psych Central, Verywell Health, and more. Her goal is to compose helpful articles that readers can easily understand and use to improve their well-being. She is passionate about healthy living and delivering important medical information through her writing.

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Resources
  1. Blood Transfusion and Donation. MedlinePlus.
  2. Blood Facts. GivingBlood.org.
  3. Blood Transfusion. Mayo Clinic.
  4. Treatments for Blood Disorders. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.
Additional Sources