While several blood group systems are used to type your blood, ABO is the most important. Your ABO type is based on the presence or absence of two antigens A and B on the surface of red blood cells. That leaves us with eight possible blood types:.
Each of these eight types is unique. Blood types determine who you can give blood to and receive blood from. Which type of donation is best for you is determined by your blood type, as well as patient need. Read more to find out what makes your blood type special:. Is one of the rarest blood types — only 6.
Minor antigens other than A, B, and Rh on the red blood cells are also checked for a match before a blood transfusion. Gabica MD - Family Medicine. Author: Healthwise Staff. Medical Review: E. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor.
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Learn how we develop our content. To learn more about Healthwise, visit Healthwise. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. Skip Navigation. Top of the page. Test Overview Blood type tests are done before a person gets a blood transfusion and to check a pregnant woman's blood type.
If your red blood cells have: The A antigen. The B antigen. Neither the A nor B antigen. Both the A and B antigens. Rh test Rh blood type checks for the Rh antigen also called the Rh factor on red blood cells. If your red blood cells: Have the Rh antigen, your blood is Rh-positive. Do not have the Rh antigen, your blood is Rh-negative. When a woman is planning to become pregnant or first becomes pregnant.
Before you donate blood. Before you have surgery. Before a person donates an organ for transplantation. To show whether two people could be blood relatives.
To check the identity of a person suspected of committing a crime. How To Prepare In general, there's nothing you have to do before this test, unless your doctor tells you to. O negative blood can be used in transfusions for any blood type. Type O is routinely in short supply and in high demand by hospitals — both because it is the most common blood type and because type O negative blood is the universal blood type needed for emergency transfusions and for immune deficient infants.
Approximately 45 percent of Caucasians are type O positive or negative , but 51 percent of African-Americans and 57 percent of Hispanics are type O. Minority and diverse populations, therefore, play a critical role in meeting the constant need for blood.
Types O negative and O positive are in high demand. However, the need for O negative blood is the highest because it is used most often during emergencies. The universal red cell donor has Type O negative blood. The universal plasma donor has Type AB blood. For more about plasma donation, visit the plasma donation facts.
Nearly 21 million blood components are transfused each year in the U. There are more than other known antigens, the presence or absence of which creates " rare blood types.
If you somehow lack an antigen that
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