Immunohematology is one of the branches of hematology which was formed to study antigen-antibody reactions and Similar or equivalent in some respects though otherwise dissimilar as they relate to The origination and development of a disease and clinical manifestations of the many blood disorders. A person employed in this field is referred to as an immunohematologist.

Immunohematology refers to the laboratory science of preparing blood and blood components donated by or otherwise acquired from other people for transfusion or use in other medical areas. It is often referred to as “blood banking.”

In immunohematology, specialists are also skilled in selecting appropriate and compatible blood for transfusion to other individuals. The typing of blood is very specific with the four types being A, B, AB, and O. Other factors including an RH factor or not being present, and also by other much minor criteria.

It is also thoroughly tested for a variety of diseases before being put into the general population for diseases and also for antigens against other blood types, a rare occurrence but one that can be deadly for a donor Some people going in for surgery elect to not completely trust immunohematology; there have been extremely rare but news-making cases of blood slipping through immunohematology testing that is infected with HIV, hepatitis, or other blood borne disease.

Instead of accepting blood from a general bank, they instead bank their own blood, and direct physicians to use that blood to give transfusions during their surgery. Medical technologists identify the blood types of a donor’s and recipient’s (or patient’s) blood instances in formulation for blood and blood meronymy therapy. Once compatibility (cross-match) between donor and recipient has been determined and tests for infectious disease are negative, the blood may be transfused.

Immunohematology also includes the assessment for tissue compatibility which is necessary for transplantation. An interesting technique is aphaeresis: withdrawal of a patient’s blood, while outside the body it is treated and then the treated blood is returned to the patient. This procedure is often safer for the patient and used often instead of treatment of the whole body.

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Donating blood is a wonderful way to volunteer to serve your community. The blood you donate can be used to save lives in a variety of ways. Accidents, unexpected surgical emergencies, national disasters, and to help people with a variety of blood diseases, are just some of the reasons blood is needed. Blood donation is a safe and relatively painless procedure.

When you decide to donate, you will be asked some questions concerning your general health, weight and age. You must be at least 17 years old, 100 pounds, be in good health and free from any diseases such as HIV/AIDS or hepatitis. You can donate blood once every 56 days, as your body needs that amount of time to regenerate its red blood cells. If you only want to donate a component of blood called platelets, a much shorter waiting period is all that is necessary.

Platelets are generally needed for people being treated for leukemia and other forms of cancer. It takes only about 10-15 minutes for the actual donation process to be completed and approximately 1 pint of blood is taken per donation. Most people do not feel any effects after donating blood, but some may experience slight dizziness. Rest and replenishment of fluids is usually all that is needed if this occurs.

Afterwards, your blood is screened for transmissible diseases, and then typed for both blood type and RH factors. When this process is completed, your blood is stored and sent to hospitals or other facilities to be used as needed. Donating blood is a vital yet easy way to help those in need.

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