![]() ![]() bloodtrans/about_blood_products/Blood_Groups_and_Compatibilities/ You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. In some cases, a person with Rh-negative blood can carry a child with Rh-positive blood, resulting in a dangerous condition called Rh incompatibility. When it comes to the Rh factor, people with Rh-positive blood can receive either Rh-positive or Rh-negative blood, while people with Rh-negative blood can receive only Rh-negative blood. This is why people with type O blood are considered “universal donors.” But people with type O blood can receive only type O blood. For example, AB blood has both the A and B antigens, so a person with this type of blood can receive either type A or B blood.Įveryone can receive type O blood because it doesn’t contain any antigens. To add complexity, blood types don’t always need to be an exact match to be compatible. This can have life threatening results, which is why medical centers worldwide have strict procedures to keep this from happening. But antibodies can also attack antigens that aren’t in your natural blood type.įor example, if you have type B blood mixed with type A blood during a transfusion, your antibodies will destroy blood cells with the A antigens. Usually, they attack viruses and bacteria. These help fight off foreign bodies your immune system doesn’t recognize. Your immune system naturally contains protective substances called antibodies. People with Rh null blood phenotypes may also be at risk of developing chronic hemolytic anemia, which causes your body to destroy immature red blood cells. Due to the scarcity of golden blood, there’s a small group of regular donors worldwide. Also nicknamed “golden blood” due to its extreme rarity, only 1 out of every 6 million people are thought to have this phenotype.Īs scientists continue to learn more about Rh null phenotypes, it’s important to let your doctor know you have this type of blood if you ever need a transfusion. Rh null is a rare blood type that doesn’t contain any Rh-antigens in red blood cells. According to the Red Cross, Asian Americans are much more likely to have a B-positive blood type than Latin Americans and white Americans, for instance. These variations also exist within groups of Americans. In India, for example, the most common blood type is B-positive, while in Denmark, it’s A-positive. Together, these two groups form the eight basic blood types that most people are familiar with:Īgain, this ranking isn’t universal. If they don’t have it, they’re considered Rh-negative.ĭepending on whether the Rh antigen is present, each blood type is assigned a positive or negative symbol. If the cells have the antigen, they’re considered Rh-positive. This is another antigen found on red blood cells. Rh factorīlood is also typed according to the Rh factor. If neither of these antigens is present, the blood is type O. You can have either or both antigens on your blood cells, as determined by your genetics. ![]() Two of these important antigens have been labeled A and B. These are the ABO and the Rh-positive/Rh-negative blood group systems. Though there are at least 33 blood typing systems, only two are widely used. Your blood also contains antigens, which are proteins and sugars that sit on red blood cells and give blood its type. It also contains white blood cells, which help fight infection, and platelets, which help your blood clot.īut that’s not where it ends. What is your blood type? Donate and find out.Every drop of blood contains red blood cells, which carry oxygen throughout your body. Nearly 16 million blood components are transfused each year in the U.S." For more about plasma donation, visit the plasma donation facts. The universal plasma donor has Type AB blood. The universal red cell donor has Type O negative blood. The need for O+ is high because it is the most frequently occurring blood type (37% of the population). However, the need for O negative blood is the highest because it is used most often during emergencies. Only 7% of the population are O negative. Types O negative and O positive are in high demand. ![]() Minority and diverse populations, therefore, play a critical role in meeting the constant need for blood. Type O is routinely in short supply and in high demand by hospitals – both because it is the most common blood type and because type O negative blood is the universal blood type needed for emergency transfusions and for immune deficient infants.Īpproximately 45 percent of Caucasians are type O (positive or negative), but 51 percent of African-Americans and 57 percent of Hispanics are type O. Why? O negative blood can be used in transfusions for any blood type. ![]() Universal donors are those with an O negative blood type. ![]()
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