A+, B-, AB+, O-… they’re not just letters and symbols. Blood types are a very important part of each and every one of us!
A blood type explains what kind of blood we have. You may be familiar with the eight major blood types in the ABO blood group system: A+, A-, O+, O-, B+, B-, AB+, and AB-. A, B, and AB are all factors that can be present in your blood. While there are four types, there are only actually two antigens involved: A and B! AB blood means that person has both the A and the B antigens. An O blood type means that someone has neither the A or B antigens in their blood. Your blood type is something genetically passed down to you from your parents, like your eye and hair color!
Where do the positive and negative signs come in? That’s the Rh (Rhesus) factor. The Rh protein is another indicator whether blood will be compatible between a donor and a recipient. Rh+ transfusions can only be received by Rh+ recipients. Rh- transfusions can be received by anyone.
Learn more about your blood type!
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A+ is the second most common blood type in America. 34% of the population shares it!
A+ hospital patients can receive blood from both A and O blood types.
A+ blood can be received by A+ and AB+ patients. A+ blood donors also make great platelet and plasma donors.
In Japan, blood types are similar to how some Americans view astrology. Instead of asking for a sign, they ask for your blood type! Most of the Japanese population is type A. A+ people are thought to be well-organized.
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Only 6% of the population is type A-.
All A and AB blood types can receive type A- blood.
Type A- can only receive type A- and O- transfusions. As an A- blood type, you should consider a double red or whole blood donation.
People with negative blood types tend to have more skin allergies.
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9% of the United States population is B+.
Type B+ and AB+ can receive type B+ red cells.
B+ can receive half of the blood types: B+, B-, O+, and O-. For B+ blood types, we recommend you consider donating platelets or whole blood at your next visit.
According to Japanese personality charts, B blood types are candid, forthright, thrive on the unusual, and make great cooks!
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2% of the United States population is B-, but it’s not the rarest blood type!
Types B and AB can receive B- red cells regardless of being positive or negative.
Type B- can receive B- and O- transfusions.
Some studies have found that people in the B blood group are at a higher risk of developing allergies!
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38% of American are O+, making it the most common blood type.
Any Rh+ patient, about 84% of people, can receive O+ blood, making it quite popular!
An O+ hospital patient can receive O+ or O- blood. Because of the huge number of people who can receive O+ blood, these donors are excellent double red cell donors.
For O+ blood types, we recommend you consider donating double red cells or platelets at your next donation.
People with type O blood are less susceptible to malaria.
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Only 9% of the population is O-.
O- is the universal donor. Anyone can receive O- blood, which means O- whole blood can be transfused to all blood types!
O- patients can only receive O- transfusions. Type O is routinely in short supply and in high demand by hospitals.
O- blood is often transfused in trauma situations when doctors don’t have time to check a patient’s blood type. O- blood is the universal blood type needed for immune deficient infants. Because of the huge number of people who can receive O- blood, these donors are excellent double red cell donors.
People with type O blood are generally protected against severe malaria.
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Only 3% of the United States population is AB+. That makes it the third rarest blood type.
Type AB+ is the universal donor for plasma.
AB+ is the universal recipient! An AB+ hospital patient could receive a transfusion from any of the eight blood types. For AB+ blood types, we recommend you consider donating plasma or platelets at your next donation.
According to Japanese blood type personality charts, AB people are rational and sensible and may have paranormal abilities!
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This is the rarest blood type! Only 1% of Americans are AB-.
AB- patients can receive any Rh- blood type: A-, B-, AB-, or O-.
For AB- blood types, we recommend you consider donating plasma or whole blood at your next donation. People with negative blood types tend to have more skin allergies.
According to Japanese blood type personality charts, AB people are rational and sensible and may have paranormal abilities!
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