It’s important for each person to know their blood type. In case of an emergency, some people have to receive a sudden blood transfusion. Individuals with AB Positive blood are known as universal recipients because they can receive any one of the blood groups or Rh types in a blood transfusion. Persons with group O Negative blood are known as universal donors because their blood can be safely transfused to individuals with any of the other blood groups or Rh types. The emergency transfusion of O Negative blood is often done when there is no time to match the patient’s exact blood group.
If you receive the wrong blood type, your blood cells could clot, which can prove fatal. According to Lab Test Diagnostics, hospitals will usually run a blood type test and, during emergencies, use Type O negative (the universal donor).
Blood Types Breakdown
The ABO blood typing system groups your blood into one of four categories:
- Type A has the A antigen
- Type B has the B antigen
- Type AB has both A and B antigens
- Type O has neither A nor B antigens
If blood enters your system with antigens that you don’t have, your body will create antibodies against it. However, some people can still safely receive blood that isn’t their blood type. So long as the blood they receive doesn’t have any antigens that mark it as foreign, their bodies won’t attack it.
In other words, donations work as follows:
- O: Type O individuals can donate blood to anyone (because their blood has no antigens), but can receive blood only from other type O individuals (because blood with any antigens is seen as foreign).
- A: Type A individuals can donate to other type A individuals and type AB individuals. Type A individuals can receive blood only from other type A individuals and type O individuals.
- B: Type B individuals can donate blood to other B individuals and AB individuals. Type B individuals can receive blood only from type B individuals and type O individuals.
- AB: Type AB individuals can give blood only to other AB individuals, but can receive blood of any type.
Rh Factor
Blood types are future organized by Rh factor:
- Rh+: People with Rh-positive blood have Rh antigens on the surface of their red blood cells. People with Rh+ blood can receive Rh+ or Rh- blood.
- Rh-: People with Rh-negative blood do not have Rh antigens. People with Rh- blood can receive only blood that is also Rh-.
Together, the ABO and Rh grouping systems yield your complete blood type. There are eight possible types: O+, O-, A+, A-, B+, B-, AB+, and AB-. While type 0 negative has long been considered a universal donor, more recent research suggests that additional antibodies are sometimes present and may cause serious reactions during a transfusion.
Finally…
Doctors need to know what blood type you have in order to prevent the risk of giving you an incompatible blood type during surgery or for another medical need. If you have had your blood tested or drawn, your blood type will be on file with your physician. Otherwise, contact us if you have any questions or to schedule an appointment.
(Some information provided by Healthline).
