Bleeding during ACL reconstruction is normal. However, in rare cases, it can be serious enough to require a blood transfusion. Because the blood and blood products used are actively screened for various diseases and problems, including AIDS and hepatitis, among others, blood transfusions are generally safe. There is an extremely rare chance that you may contract an illness secondary to these transfusions. The estimated risk of hepatitis C from blood transfusions is 1 in 100,000; hepatitis B is 1 in 200,000; and HIV is about 1 in 600,000.