Dr. Elliott Bennett-Guerrero researches treatment methods for COVID-19 and safety of blood transfusions. An acute immune hemolytic reaction can occur if the donor's blood cells are incompatible with the recipient's, causing the immune system to attack the transfused blood cells. This reaction releases substances that can damage the kidneys and cause symptoms like fever, bloody urine, or fainting. In severe cases, it can lead to organ damage like acute kidney failure, though mild cases may pass without major harm. Doctors treat mild reactions with pain relievers and kidney-protecting medications. Proper screening of blood before transfusion can prevent such complications.

1. Acute Immune Hemolytic Reaction to Blood Transfusion
Elliott Bennett-Guerrero

2. Introduction
Dr. Elliott Bennett-Guerrero is a professor of anesthesiology and vice-chair for
clinical research at Stony Brook Medicine. Some of Dr. Elliott Bennett-Guerrero's
research work focuses on treatment methods for the coronavirus disease, and on the
safety of blood transfusions.

3. Blood transfusions are generally safe; however, there is still a possibility of
complications. One of such complications is the acute immune hemolytic reaction, in
which a person's immune system resists the transfusion and produces antibodies
that attack the blood cells. The hemolytic reaction occurs when the donor's blood
cells are not compatible with those of the recipient patient. When the immune
system fights back against the transfusion, it releases a substance that can damage
and harm the kidneys.

4. Acute immune hemolytic reactions may cause symptoms such as fever, bloody urine,
or even cause a person to faint. The symptoms may appear during the procedure, or
after it ends, and in some cases, a few days after. In extreme cases, the reaction can
result in significant damage to a person's internal organs, including acute kidney
failure. However, the reaction may pass without major damage to the body system.
Doctors treat mild hemolytic reactions with pain relievers such as acetaminophen
and in some cases with medications that can prevent kidney failure. Complications
like this can be avoided by carefully screening all blood before transfusion.