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Blood Transfusion

Blood transfusion is a medical treatment to replace blood or portions of the blood lost through injury, surgery, or disease.

During a transfusion, people normally receive only the parts of blood needed to treat their conditions. Whole blood is now rarely given as a transfusion.

Blood for transfusions may come from anonymous donors, or a person could bank his or her own blood in preparation for surgery.

Last Revised: October 27, 2011

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review: E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine & Brian Leber, MDCM, FRCPC - Hematology

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