What is a febrile transfusion reaction?
Temperature rise of 1.8 F OR 1.0C above baseline A temperature rise of 1.8 F or 1.0 C from the baseline is considered a febrile reaction that must be worked up. The fever may or may not be accompanied by chills or rigors (shaking chills). The fever may occur during the transfusion or in the immediate posttransfusion period. It must be determined if the fever is related to underlying disease or infection or from an acute hemolytic transfusion reaction. Fever is the most frequent symptom of an acute hemolytic transfusion reaction. The transfusion must be stopped and the physician and the blood bank must be notified. Tylenol may be administered with a physician’s order. Severe shaking chills ( rigors) may be controlled by the sedative effect of Benadryl or Demerol. Blood specimens from the patient that may be needed to rule out the acute hemolytic transfusion reaction include two 7 mL Pink top tubes.
