Fever and chills during a transfusion are symptoms of which reaction type?

Fever and chills occurring during a transfusion are indicative of a febrile non-hemolytic transfusion reaction. This type of reaction is typically caused by the recipient’s immune response to white blood cell antigens in the donor blood, particularly if the recipient has had previous transfusions. The body reacts to these foreign white blood cells by initiating a febrile response, which manifests as fever and chills.

In this scenario, the other types of reactions do not primarily present with fever and chills. Citrate toxicity generally arises from the anticoagulant used in blood products and leads to symptoms like hypocalcemia, including tingling, muscle cramps, and potentially cardiac issues. Circulatory overload is characterized by respiratory distress, hypertension, and fluid overload signs, rather than fever and chills. An allergic reaction, usually to plasma proteins, may exhibit symptoms like hives, urticaria, or anaphylaxis, but it does not typically include fever. Therefore, the presence of fever and chills most directly correlates with a febrile reaction during a transfusion.