What are the types of blood groups

The blood running in your body is basically a type of connective tissue which is found in a fluid state in the human body.

Your body’s genetic code is that which determines your hair and eye colour, your right or left handedness and also whether you can curl your tongue or not. Another very important thing that is determined by your genetic code is blood type. Humans are aware of two main blood groups; these are ABO group and the Rh group. While the first one is made of A, B, AB or O blood types, the Rh group happens to be either positive or negative. The blood group of your body allows doctors to know a lot about your physical well being. Most importantly your blood type will help doctors during a blood transfusion or an organ donation.

Understanding ABO Group

The O type blood does not have any antigens on the surface of the red blood cells. It is considered to be the most common blood type known to man. Those who have O type blood can in fact donate their blood to anyone, but the interesting thing here is that they can only receive the type O blood.

The type A blood is more common in Central and the Eastern Europe and has A antigens on its surface. Those who have Type A blood can donate it to either type A or to type AB people. They can receive blood when in need from type 0 or type A people.

The blood type B is found to be common in Asia and has the B antigens on the surface, and these people can donate their blood to either the type B or the type AB. They can receive from type O or type B people. The AB blood type is found to be the least common which had made its appearances mostly in Japan, China and Korea. This type of blood has both A and B antigens on the surface.

Understanding Rh Blood Types

The Rh (+) blood means that your red blood cells have D antigens on the surface and the negative one would mean that your red blood cells do not have the D antigen on the surface.

Those who are Rh negative, they can donate their blood to only those who are negative, but they can receive from both the Rh (+) and the Rh (-) people. Whereas those who are Rh (+) can receive from only those who are Rh(+) and can donate to either of the two.

The Importance of Blood Groups

During blood transfusion someone else’s blood is put into your body and if the new blood cells happen to have different antigens on the surface as compared to yours, then your body will see them as invaders and this will cause trouble. Your body would destroy the new blood with the help of the antibodies that your immune system would create. This reaction of your body could be threatening.

Similarly blood groups should be determined during the event of a pregnancy too. It is a very easy process which is practiced across the world.

Read more articles on Blood Test.
Image Courtesy: gettyimages.in