Diplomate, Board Certification of Emergency Medicine
Chairman, Department of Emergency Medicine Ma'ayenei
Hayeshua Hospital
In our last article in this series, we discuss donating and
receiving blood. Many people are familiar with the ABO
system of blood types. Most people are type O and therefore
can only accept a transfusion of type O blood. Should they
receive other types, their body would attack these cells and
cause them to hemolyze, or explode. Many people are type A
or type B or type AB, which won't cause damage to type A or
type Bs. Type O can be tolerated by A, B, or AB, but it is
safer to give the right type.
However, there are many smaller differences, such as Duffy
groups and Rh, among others. Rh negative will attack Rh
positive blood. If the mother of a baby is Rh negative and
her blood mixes with the blood of the baby inside her womb --
which would occur if there is trauma or other gynecological
bleeding -- the baby's blood cells could be destroyed.
Mothers with abdominal trauma should receive Rhogam, a drug
that blocks this.
Transfusions are much safer than they used to be. AIDS, and
Hepatitis B and C can be detected before the blood is
transfused, and this blood is of course discarded.
Nevertheless, other diseases can be transmitted from
transfusions, so they should be taken seriously.
Also, while hospitals make sure you get the blood that is
right for you, there can still be dangerous reactions, like
allergy or hemolysis -- attacking of the new cells.
Generally, indications for transfusions of red blood cells
include active hemorrhage or a blood count of less than 10
that causes severe weakness. In trauma and some surgeries
that lead to a lot of bleeding, the patient's own blood
cells can be reinfused. Another option is to donate blood
for your own surgery a few weeks before the procedure, or
have a relative or friend donate bloodthat you are sure is
disease-free.
Many products of the blood stream can be transfused,
including platelets -- the clotting cells -- and plasma, the
material needed for clotting.
Keep in mind that blood cells, under the best conditions,
last only 120 days. In a disaster, there may not be enough
blood around. Donation is a praiseworthy thing and is safe.
All materials used for blood donation are new. If you have a
normal blood count to start with, you will suffer no lasting
effects from donation.
Let's hope this discussion of anemias has all been
theoretical and that all my readers and all of Bnei
Yisroel will be in good health. Write me in care of the
Yated.
A message from Glaxo, sponsor of this column.
Pulmonary hypertension is a scary disease, and most
therapies are not overly useful. Only one therapy has been
listed by the Israeli Medic as an effective drug for
this condition and it's Flolan, a drug from our sponsor. G-d
willing, it will help in this condition.
