Clinical Corner: Management of pyrexia during blood transfusion

A 41-year-old female patient presented with weight loss, dehydration, ulcerative pharyngitis and a pyrexia. She was lethargic and had recently experienced a number of falls. She was allergic to several medications, including paracetamol and ibuprofen. A routine blood sample indicated a haemoglobin level of 5.3g/dl. Three units of leucodepleated red blood cells were prescribed for transfusion.