Treatment - Bacterial Sepsis

Transfusion-associated bacterial sepsis is treated like any septic shock.

Septic and toxic reactions may be life-threatening, and treatment must be aggressive. Treatment should be initiated immediately after the collection of recipient blood samples for culturing. Treatment should include:

• broad-spectrum antimicrobials
• vasopressors to maintain blood pressure and urinary flow
• intravenous fluid therapy to maintain fluid and electrolyte balance

Other severe sequelae such as Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC) require prompt attention.

If possible, further transfusions should not be given until the transfusion service has completed its serologic investigation and determined the cause of the reaction.