New! Sign up for our free email newsletter.
Reference Terms
from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Blood transfusion

A blood transfusion is a medical procedure in which donated blood or blood components are transferred into a person’s bloodstream. It is commonly used to replace blood lost during surgery, trauma, or childbirth, and to treat conditions such as anemia, certain cancers, and blood clotting disorders. Transfusions can involve whole blood or specific components like red blood cells, plasma, platelets, or clotting factors, depending on the patient’s needs.

Before a transfusion, blood is carefully matched for compatibility between the donor and recipient, particularly for blood type and Rh factor, to prevent immune reactions. The process is typically performed in a hospital or clinical setting, monitored by medical professionals, and usually takes one to four hours depending on the volume and type of blood being transfused.

Blood transfusions are considered safe and life-saving, though minor side effects such as fever or allergic reactions can occur. In rare cases, more serious complications like hemolytic reactions or infections may arise, which is why rigorous screening and testing protocols are followed. Blood transfusion remains a critical tool in modern medicine, supporting recovery and survival in a wide range of medical situations.

Related Stories
 


Health & Medicine News

August 24, 2025

Researchers uncovered that hypothalamic neurons safeguard blood sugar overnight by directing fat breakdown, preventing hypoglycemia during early sleep. This subtle control system may explain abnormal metabolism in ...
Researchers discovered that heart failure patients with inconsistent sleep patterns were more than twice as likely to experience serious setbacks within six months. The risk remained high even when accounting for sleep disorders and other ...
Scientists have developed a groundbreaking cryo-optical microscopy technique that freezes living cells mid-action, capturing ultra-detailed snapshots of fast biological processes. By rapidly immobilizing cells at precise moments, researchers can ...
Researchers have created plant-based microbeads that trap fat in the gut, helping rats lose weight without side effects. Unlike current drugs, the beads are safe, tasteless, and easy to mix into everyday foods. Human trials are now ...
Too much salt may inflame the brain, triggering hormones that push blood pressure higher. Scientists found this pathway could explain why many patients resist current hypertension drugs, pointing toward the brain as a new treatment ...
St. Jude researchers revealed that midkine blocks amyloid beta from forming harmful clumps linked to Alzheimer’s. Without it, the damaging assemblies accelerate, but with it, growth halts. The finding could inspire new drugs that harness ...
Researchers discovered that women with Alzheimer’s show a sharp loss of omega fatty acids, unlike men, pointing to sex-specific differences in the disease. The study suggests omega-rich diets could be key, but clinical trials are ...
Scientists have uncovered a startling split in the venom of Australia’s Eastern Brown Snake. In the south, bites cause rock-solid blood clots, while in the north, they trigger flimsy clots that ...
Researchers identified over 400 genes tied to various forms of frailty, offering fresh insight into why people age differently. The study highlights six distinct pathways of unhealthy aging, opening the door to more precise, targeted anti-aging ...
A large-scale review finds that acetaminophen use during pregnancy may increase the risk of autism and ADHD in children. The strongest studies showed the clearest links, pointing to biological ...
Scientists have finally uncovered the missing link in how our bodies absorb queuosine, a rare micronutrient crucial for brain health, memory, stress response, and cancer defense. For decades, ...
Scientists at UCSF have uncovered a surprising culprit behind brain aging: a protein called FTL1. In mice, too much FTL1 caused memory loss, weaker brain connections, and sluggish cells. But when researchers blocked it, the animals regained youthful ...

Latest Headlines

updated 12:56 pm ET