Factor XIII
A clotting factor that stabilizes blood clots.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
American authority that regulates the food and drug industry.
Fibrinogen
A protein involved in coagulation. Fibrinogen reacts with other molecules to produce blood clots.
Fractionation
Process by which blood plasma is separated into some of its different component parts.
Fresh frozen plasma (FFP)
A component prepared from whole blood or from plasma collected by apheresis frozen to a temperature that will maintain the labile coagulation factors in a functional state.
Graft versus host disease (GVHD)
A reaction where transplanted or transfused cells attack the recipient's own tissues.
Granulocyte
A type of white blood cell that attacks and destroys foreign substances.
Hematocrit (Hct)
A measure of the amount of red blood cells in your body.
Hemoglobin (Hb)
The molecule in the red blood cell that carries oxygen. Hemoglobin combines with oxygen in the lungs and releases it in the tissues. It is what makes blood red.
Hemolysis
A process characterized by alterations in red blood cell integrity, resulting in the release of hemoglobin into the surrounding medium in which the cells are suspended.
Hepatitis B virus (HBV)
A virus which primarily causes inflammation of the liver. The hepatitis B virus can be transmitted in several ways including blood transfusion, needle sticks, body piercing and tattooing using nonsterile instruments, dialysis, sexual and even less intimate close contact, and childbirth. Symptoms include fatigue, jaundice, nausea, vomiting, dark urine, and light stools. Diagnosis is by blood test.
Hepatitis C virus (HCV)
Hepatitis C virus (HCV), which is usually spread by blood transfusion, hemodialysis, and needle sticks, causes inflammation of the liver. HCV causes most transfusion-associated hepatitis, and the damage it does to the liver can lead to cirrhosis and cancer. Transmission of the virus by sexual contact is rare. At least half of HCV patients develop chronic hepatitis C infection. Diagnosis is by blood test. Treatment is via anti-viral drugs. Chronic hepatitis C may be treated with interferon, sometimes in combination with anti-virals. There is no vaccine for hepatitis C. Previously known as non-A, non-B hepatitis.
Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
The cause of AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). HIV has also been called the human lymphotropic virus type III, the lymphadenopathy-associated virus and the lymphadenopathy virus. No matter what name is applied, it is a retrovirus. (A retrovirus has an RNA genome and a reverse transcriptase enzyme. Using the reverse transcriptase, the virus uses its RNA as a template for making complementary DNA which can integrate into the DNA of the host organism).
Human leukocyte antigen (HLA)
Antigen present on most cells of the body which is unique to the individual. It may be considered to be the individual's genetic fingerprint.
Human T-cell lymphotropic virus (HTLV)
A virus that may cause blood or nerve disease.
International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT)
The professional society for institutions and individuals.
Irradiated red blood cell
Red blood cell treated with radiation to inactivate while blood cells which may cause graft-versus-host disease.
ISBT
International Society of Blood Transfusion
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