No_Blood

Kaylee Furiasse Ms. Perry 4th Period 5-21-11 Blood Transfusions Blood transfusions have been used for centuries. But now, in the 21st century, more and more studies are being done regarding the use of blood in a medical procedure. Many of these studies have proven what the blood can do to the body. Doctors who once used blood are looking for bloodless alternatives because they have realized the dangers of using blood. The following paragraphs will help all to become aware of the risks that go along with having a blood transfusion. These paragraphs will give patients and doctors the incite about the bodies reaction to the blood, the complications in technology that cause patients to be infected with viruses and/or diseases, and they will address the reason some believe that blood is the best option for themselves, their families, or their patients. Every person that walks into a doctors office or a hospital is different in many ways. Everyone has a different hair style, different shoes, different color eyes, but one thing that people have taken for granted is that everyone has a different type of blood just like fingerprints(BT How Safe). Yes, experts have categorized blood into four different categories A, B, AB and O. But, no ones blood is identical to someone else’s blood. This is why there are so many risks that need to be considered by all patients and doctors. One risk is that you can have serious immune system reactions (Quality Alternatives to T). The patients immune system will create antibodies to fight the blood cells that the patients body does not recognize. This means that the blood that was just transfused into the patient will be diminished and the patient may be in an even worse condition now that their body is fighting the transfusion (Zieve). Now that the patients immune system and clotting system has become very active the patient has the risk of going into shock, having kidney failure, having a circulatory collapse, and there is a possibility that the patient will die (Dean). Even if the blood supply was properly screened there is still a chance that the patients immune system will not function properly leading to these side effects. The risks that a blood transfusion presents to a patients immune system is something that should be taken very seriously because the immune system is what allows the human body to get rid of and fight off diseases and viruses. An immune system reaction isn’t the only reaction patients and doctors need to worry about. The most important type of reaction is and allergic reaction. These reactions can have any of the following symptoms: anxiety, chest and/or back pain, trouble breathing, fever, chills, quick pulse or low blood pressure, and feeling sick to the stomach. Another reaction could be an iron overload. Iron overload could happen if a patient has multiple transfusions or the donated blood had too much iron in it (BT Risks Reactions). Not only can a blood transfusion cause a patient to have an allergic reaction or and iron overload but it can also cause transfusion-related acute lung injury. This occurs when the donated blood activates the white blood cells in the patient. This then causes temporary damage to the blood vessels which then allows fluid from those vessels to leak into the lungs. Because of the fluid buildup it makes it difficult for the oxygen to go from the lungs to the blood. It usually can be fixed but the treatment but sometimes the patient does not respond and it could lead to death. Doctors are not sure why this reaction happens with the use of a blood transfusion but they are doing more research on the plasma of men and women (BT Risks and Benefits). Another factor that both patients and doctors should recognize is that complications in technology result in many patients being infected with different types of viruses and diseases. Even in countries that have made amazing medical discoveries can not effectively control the system of blood. No matter how hard doctors try, it is possible for a donor to infect the patient with viruses or blood related diseases. There are so many diseases and viruses that a patient can receive through a blood transfusion and that is why many doctors are looking for a way out. A few viruses and diseases that a patient can receive are Aids, HIV, Hepatitis, and other viruses that are unknown. After a transfusion many patients have come to find that their livers have been infected with a virus which can lead to complications and there is a possibility of death (Outstanding Conference). In France alone it is estimated that 6,000 to 8,000 people were infected with HIV even after the donated blood was tested for HIV. Then in Africa blood transfusions are responsible for ten percent of HIV infections and in Pakistan they are responsible for forty percent of AIDS (BT A Long History of Cont). Not even technology can help the medical field to stop the spread of viruses and diseases. Even in well developed countries, like the United States, can’t prevent the spread of blood related diseases. The U.S News & World Report states that five percent of those who have a blood transfusion are infected with hepatitis. That means that 175,000 people are infected with hepatitis per year. That report also mentions that half of those patients become chronic carriers, and at least one in five patients develop cirrhosis or cancer of the liver. Then it is estimated that 4,000 people die of blood transfusions (BT How Safe). This number of patients that die every year due to blood transfusions is like a very big plane crashing and killing all on board every month. Is there any doubt why doctors are looking for a way out' Blood transfusions have been widely accepted by doctors and the public for years because they viewed it as the only option for a successful treatment as many still believe today. Some doctors believe that when a person has lost a lot of blood that it needs to be replaced with blood but in recent studies doctors have realized that all they need to do is add volume and the body will function properly and there are no severe consequences. Some doctors also believe that blood transfusions are the only way that a person can be treated and survive. In recent studies though doctors have come up with bloodless surgeries that allow patients to choose what type of operation they want to do. It has also been proven that these alternatives have few or no risks at all to the patients future health conditions. One doctor comment on other doctors use of blood, he said this: We must conclude that currently there are many patients receiving blood components who have no chance for a benefit from transfusion (the blood is not needed) and yet still have a significant risk of undesired effect. No physician would knowingly expose a patient to a therapy that cannot help but might hurt, but that is exactly what occurs when blood is transfused unnecessarily (Quality Alternatives to T). With all these major factors that go with blood transfusions now is the time to consider doing some research for yourself. As a patient you don’t want to have to be in the hospital to start thinking about what you would want. A patient should have it written what he or she wants and what they don’t want. By doing this the patient knows that they have done everything that they can to prevent themselves from being infected or having some sort of reaction. Just remember all doctors may not be willing to do bloodless surgery so a patient may need to find a new doctor that will abide by their wishes. Blood transfusions are very dangerous and that’s why bloodless surgery is a better choice.