Bacterial contamination of a blood product can result in transfusion-associated bacterial sepsis. Bacteria may enter the blood during phlebotomy, but contamination may also be caused by an unrecognized bacteremia in the donor, contamination during preparation of the components or the environment, or contamination of the ports when thawing frozen components. Bacterial microbes will multiply faster in components stored at room temperature than in refrigerated components. Although rare, bacteria in blood or its components can cause a septic transfusion reaction. Symptoms include high fever, shock, hemoglobinuria, disseminated intravascular coagulation, and kidney failure. Such reactions are life-threatening.