KNOW YOUR BLOOD GROUP

Blood Groups

Blood is classified into four main groups: A, B, AB, and O. Your blood group is determined by genes inherited from your parents. Each group can be RhD positive or negative, therefore there are a total of eight blood groups.

“A” Blood type has antigens on red blood cells and anti-B antibodies in the plasma,

“B” Blood type has antigen on red blood cells and anti-A antibodies in the plasma,

“O” Blood type has no antigen but both anti-A and anti-B antibodies in the plasma; and AB blood type has both antigen (A and B), but no antibodies.

• Although they are compatible with all positive red blood cells (A+ B+ O+ and AB+) O-positive red blood cells are not uniformly compatible with all kinds. One of the primary reasons O-positive blood is in such great demand is that more than 80%of people have positive blood types, and may obtain it. The genes you receive from your parents define your blood group, and each group might be RhD positive or RhD negative.

The lowest risk of heart attack and blood clots in the leg and lungs is shown in type “O” blood type. This might be a result of elevated quantities of certain clotting factors, which are proteins that help blood coagulate in individuals with different blood types, while all blood has the same function, not all blood is created the same. Blood types are used to categorize blood and help medical professionals decide if two person blood types are compatible.

Compatible blood types such as: A - positive, A - negative, B - positive, B - negative, AB - positive, AB - negative, O - positive, and O - negative, are necessary for blood transfusion and organ transplants.

Each blood group or type has unique characteristics, for instance if a person with “B” receives group “A” blood, the group “A” red blood cells will be attacked by their anti-A antibodies. For this reason, it is calamitous to give the group “A” blood to a person with the group “B” blood and vice versa. Red blood cells from the group “O” can be given to any other group, without risk, since they lack the group “A” or group “B” antigens.

Understanding your blood type helps you avoid unwarranted situations during Blood Transfusion, Organ Transplants and Relationships.