Blood transfusions: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia

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Blood transfusions: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia

 
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Blood transfusions

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There are many reasons you may need a blood transfusion:

• After knee or hip replacement surgery, or other major surgery
• After a serious injury
• When your body cannot make enough blood

A blood transfusion is a safe, common procedure in which blood is given to you through an intravenous (IV) line in one of your blood vessels. It takes 1 - 4 hours to receive the blood, depending on how much you need

If you need a blood transfusion, there are several sources of blood. You may be able to receive:

• Donor blood from the general public, after it has been closely matched to yours.
• Blood from a relative or friend, if their blood matches yours. This is known as direct blood donation.
• Blood that you have donated weeks before a surgery that is then stored for you, in case you need a transfusion. This is called autologous blood donation.