Low EBV, youth, and first-time donor status are major risk factors for IRs and DRs. Women are more likely than men to report DRs. Delayed and off-site reactions lead to potentially preventable morbidity. Understanding the physiologic basis of DRs may lead to the development of appropriate interventions to reduce their likelihood.

Risk factors for confirmed infection in US blood donors are consistent with the known epidemiology of Chagas disease. Blood donors or transfusions do not substantially contribute to the burden of T. cruzi infection in the United States.