Autologous Blood

Autologous refers to cells, tissues or even proteins that are either reimplanted or given back to the same individual as they come from. Autologous blood is therefore blood that is collected and transfused to the same individual. Some advantages of autologous blood type will always match, even with a rare blood type or antibody type. The risk of exposure to infectious disease such as hepatitis or HIV from blood is eliminated. The risk of allergic reactions is reduced. Disadvantages are higher cost due to individualized processing, record-keeping, management and increased blood wastage.