Final answer:
Transfusion incompatibility reactions are not always fatal. Though serious, with proper medical intervention, many patients survive these reactions. The severity depends on the immune response and the effectiveness of the treatment provided.
Step-by-step explanation:
Transfusion incompatibility reactions are not always fatal, Though the consequences of receiving a transfusion with incompatible blood can be severe, they do not invariably result in fatality. If a person with type B blood receives a transfusion of type A blood, their anti-A antibodies will bind to the transfused RBCs, leading to various symptoms including fever, chills, and in severe cases, hypotension and multi-organ failure. However, with prompt recognition and appropriate management, many patients survive these reactions.
The mechanism behind these reactions involves the activation of the classical complement cascade which mediates hemolysis of the transfused RBCs, potentially leading to organ failure. However, modern medicine has developed protocols to minimize the risk of incompatibility reactions and to provide treatments that can manage the consequences when they occur. Therefore, while transfusion reactions can potentially be life-threatening, they are not invariably fatal.
For example, in a transfusion reaction, if a person with type B blood receives a transfusion of type A blood, their anti-A antibodies will bind to and agglutinate the transfused RBCs. This can lead to an inflammatory response and destruction of the transfused red blood cells. Symptoms may include fever, chills, itching, hives, difficulty breathing, hemoglobin in urine, and low blood pressure. In severe cases, shock, multi-organ failure, and death can occur. However, with appropriate medical intervention, including timely recognition of the reaction and prompt treatment, the outcome can be improved.