What is the most common transfusion reaction that results in fever and chills?

Prepare for the AAB Medical Technologist (MT) Generalist Exam with flashcards and multiple choice questions. Each question includes hints and explanations to boost your understanding. Get exam-ready now!

The most common transfusion reaction that results in fever and chills is the febrile reaction. This type of reaction occurs due to the recipient's immune response to the donor's white blood cells or cytokines that are released during the transfusion. The body may recognize these cells as foreign, resulting in an inflammatory response that produces symptoms such as fever and chills.

Febrile reactions typically manifest within hours of the transfusion and are usually mild, though they can cause significant discomfort. This reaction is often managed by stopping the transfusion and treating the symptoms.

In contrast, septic reactions are related to bacterial contamination of the blood product, leading to more severe systemic symptoms, which are less common than febrile reactions. Anaphylactic reactions occur due to an IgE-mediated hypersensitivity to the donor’s plasma proteins, and hemolytic reactions are primarily associated with incompatibility of blood types. However, these other types of reactions often present with more severe clinical indicators beyond just fever and chills. Thus, febrile reactions remain the most common and are characterized specifically by the combination of fever and chills.

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