Febrile and allergic reactions are among the commonest reactions to transfusion. Around 300 moderate-severe reactions are reported to SHOT each year (~15 per 100,000 components transfused) and mild reactions occur even more frequently. Challenges in management include classifying the type of reaction, judging its severity and if necessary, investigating to exclude an alternative cause (such as a haemolytic reaction or bacterial infection). It is vital that the patient is treated appropriately, both to manage their symptoms and enable transfusion to continue where reactions are mild.
SHOT data consistently show that 40% of these reactions are misclassified by the reporter, and 40-50% of patients with febrile reactions are inappropriately treated with an antihistamine and steroid.
This SHOT Bite has been created to help identify and diagnose FAHR reactions.
SHOT Bite No.05a – FAHR-Getting the diagnosis right – September 2021
