In blood transfusions, what kind of red cells are given to patients who have severe allergy to standard red cells?

Washed red blood cells are specifically prepared for patients who have severe allergies to standard red cells. The washing process removes plasma proteins and other components that could trigger allergic reactions. This is particularly important for patients who have had previous reactions to blood transfusions, as those allergies are often related to substances present in the plasma of standard red blood cells.

While frozen red blood cells may preserve the viability of red cells for long periods, they do not address the issue of allergic reactions in the same way washing does. Type O negative red blood cells are often used as universal donors in emergency situations, but they do not mitigate allergic reactions. Platelet components, while crucial for different types of transfusions, are not relevant when discussing red blood cell transfusions. Thus, washed red blood cells are the most appropriate choice for patients with severe allergies, as they focus on minimizing the risk of an allergic response.