Is it possible for an allergy to be "transmitted" through a blood transfusion?I was never allergic to dogs my entire life. After having a blood transfusion in August 2007, I have been allergic to dogs ever since. Even my own dog. I came home from the hospital and suddenly started breaking out in hives and rashes anytime she touched me. I eventually realized that all short-haired dogs do the same thing to me (only short hair, not long haired dogs). Is it possible that a person that donated some of the blood that I received was allergic to dogs and now I am too? lol I know it sounds crazy (I'm prepared for all the laughing and 'you're stupid' comments), but I just wanted to know if its possible.
Thanks in advance!
-Laura
you know, I am really curious now :) good question... I'm gonna do tons of research now :) I'll let you know what I find
-dutch950
Allergy is a disorder of the immune system often also referred to as atopy. Allergic reactions occur to environmental substances known as allergens; these reactions are acquired, predictable and rapid. Strictly, allergy is one of four forms of hypersensitivity and is called type I (or immediate) hypersensitivity. It is characterized by excessive activation of certain white blood cells called mast cells and basophils by a type of antibody known as IgE, resulting in an extreme inflammatory response. Common allergic reactions include eczema, hives, hay fever, asthma, food allergies, and reactions to the venom of stinging insects such as wasps and bees.[1]
Mild allergies like hay fever are highly prevalent in the human population and cause symptoms such as allergic conjunctivitis, itchiness, and runny nose. Allergies can play a major role in conditions such as asthma. In some people, severe allergies to environmental or dietary allergens or to medication may result in life-threatening anaphylactic reactions and potentially death.
A variety of tests now exist to diagnose allergic conditions; these include testing the skin for responses to known allergens or analyzing the blood for the presence and levels of allergen-specific IgE. Treatments for allergies include allergen avoidance, use of anti-histamines, steroids or other oral medications, immunotherapy to desensitize the response to allergen, and targeted therapy.
-Mommie of 4 under 5
yes, my one year old just received a blood transfusion and we were told allergies, diseases, viruses, etc, could be transmitted.... so yes it could have been transmitted to you through the transfusion....
-intelex
The only thing funny is when people Google something and copy-paste without knowing what it says.
The simple answer is "no." The important thing to remember is that you can gain or lose and allergy to anything at any point in your life. There is some good baseline information in Mr. Copy-Paste's post, so I won't bore you with reiterating too much of it.
Allergies are not contagious because the basophiles, eosinophiles, or mast cells injected through a blood transfusion are slaughtered by your immune system shortly after injection. They represent foreign bodies and they would attack you and you would attack them - as foreign. Your body doesn't adopt them like puppies, giving you whatever the donor had. It doesn't work that way.
Now, if the blood contains viruses, bacteria, prions, or spores, those can cause issues and give you an infection.
There is a process by which your immune cells will chomp up the injected white blood cells and display the "guts" on their cell walls, which will activate your immune system into fighting them off. The IgE from an allergy sufferer might be presented and an antibody developed to fight it, which could (very unlikely) develop into an allergy after one injection. But the allergy would be to the antibody that is an antibody to an antigen. So, the allergy would be to the anti-dog blood, not to dogs themselves.
The one caveat to this is if the transfusion is between twins or relatives that have very little difference in their phenotype. But that is not part of the simple answer.
Back on track here... you obviously had a medical challenge. When your immune system is on high alert, due to injury or illness, chemicals can be released that cause "antibody class switching." You probably had IgG antibodies to mop of your dogs' proteins in your lungs, sinuses, etc. Antibody class switching causes that IgG to turn into IgE, the binder of antigens to create allergy symptoms.
The immune system doesn't have a brain. All it knows that that some bad stuff is going on, like screaming and running after a bomb blast. It then tries to fight whatever is foreign, harder and more effectively. In terms of human evolution, this means antibody class switching. "The pistol didn't work, so let's try a flame thrower." If you have a lung infection and both pneumonia and dog proteins are in the fluid, it will fight both. And since the antibodies to the dog proteins are already there, they switch to the the flame thrower, typically near the end or after the symptoms of the infection/injury are over.
So, because you had a dog, its allergens were all over your environment, and you had a strong immune challenge, you are now allergic to a protein common to short haired dogs.
chronic lung condition. Get all your questions answered now Learn how you can make a difference.
The Complete Guide to Hydroponic Gardening
This Complete Hydroponic Gardening Guide will take the beginner or advanced gardener through all of the steps to growing the perfect Hydroponic Garden. From setting up a beginner garden to making your fertilizer, or troubleshooting your plants growth.
The Complete Guide to Hydroponic Gardening
Orignal From: Asthma Info: Is it possible for an allergy to be "transmitted" through a blood transfusion?
No comments:
Post a Comment