Dear friends, we have added a “Blood Type” field to the member profile so that this vital piece of information can be captured. If you have had the need to find a particular blood type for yourself or family member you may know what a tedious task this could be, lets try to simply it at least a bit. You can find and set the “Blood Type” field under the “Personal Information” tab on your profile.
Some very basic information about blood types and transfusion compatibility can be found below:
There are four major blood groups determined by the presence or absence of two antigens – A and B – on the surface of red blood cells:
- Group A – has only the A antigen on red cells (and B antibody in the plasma)
- Group B – has only the B antigen on red cells (and A antibody in the plasma)
- Group AB – has both A and B antigens on red cells (but neither A nor B antibody in the plasma)
- Group O – has neither A nor B antigens on red cells (but both A and B antibody are in the plasma)
In addition to the A and B antigens, there is a third antigen called the Rh factor, which can be either present (+) or absent ( – ). In general, Rh negative blood is given to Rh-negative patients, and Rh positive blood or Rh negative blood may be given to Rh positive patients.
- The universal red cell donor has Type O negative blood type.
- The universal plasma donor has Type AB positive blood type.