![]() So, if you're type O negative, your blood is especially in demand because it’s used most often during emergencies.⁴īut even if you're not type O negative, your blood can still help save lives. Only 7% of the population are O negative. In fact, type O negative blood is the "universal donor" blood type, which means it can be given to people of any blood type. Other important reasons are for:ĭonating blood: Donating blood is a selfless act that can make a huge impact on the lives of those who receive it. 4.5 million Americans receive a transfusion each year.³ If you ever need a blood transfusion, you will need blood that is compatible with yours. One of the most important reasons why you should know your blood type is in case of an emergency. Knowing your blood type may be more important than you think. Why is it beneficial to know my blood type? These antibodies can attack your baby's red blood cells, which can be life-threatening for the baby. Because of this difference, your body reacts by producing antibodies (proteins that your immune system makes to fight infection). Rh incompatibility is when your blood (Rh-) is different from your baby’s blood (Rh+). Without this treatment, there’s a risk of Rh incompatibility. If you’re pregnant and Rh negative, you may need an injection of a blood product called “Rh immune globulin” during your pregnancy. Having the Rh factor (or not) doesn’t affect your health.² But it can be important if you’re pregnant. What does it mean to be Rh positive or Rh negative? ![]() The plus or minus sign indicates if a person has the Rh factor. There are many variations of blood types, but these are the 8 most common: If a person has this protein, they are Rh-positive. There’s also another important protein called the Rh factor (or Rhesus factor). Blood type AB has both antigens, but blood type O doesn’t have either of them. What this means is that blood type A only has the A antigen. And this is why knowing your blood type is so important. If you receive blood from someone with a different blood type, your immune system will attack the unfamiliar red blood cells-because they have the wrong address. In the same way, your body's immune system only recognizes red blood cells with the right antigens. If the mail carrier sees a house with a different address, they will not deliver the mail. The mail carrier will only deliver mail to houses with the right address. Your immune system is like a mail carrier. The antigens on the surface of your red blood cells are like the address on your house. Imagine for a moment that your red blood cells are houses. Your body uses these antigens to identify which blood cells belong to you, and your immune system recognizes them as your own. ![]() These sugars or proteins are called antigens (or blood group markers). Your blood type is determined by whether (or not) your red blood cells have certain proteins or sugars attached to their surface. ![]()
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