Blood is what keeps up alive and is very important in our body.Although all blood is made of the same basic elements, not all blood is alike. In fact, there are eight different common blood types, which are determined by the presence or absence of certain antigens. There are ingredients that can trigger an immune response if they are foreign to the body. Since some antigens can trigger a patient's immune system to attack the transfused blood, safe blood transfusions depend on careful blood typing and cross-matching.
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 one 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) There are very specific ways in which blood types must be matched for a safe transfusion.
There are many different qualifications that enable certain blood types to donate to other blood type patients. In able to donate blood types you have certain Group O. O Blood Type diagram linking blood types O Blood Type A can donate red blood cells to A's and AB's A Blood Type A Blood Type B can donate red blood cells to B's and AB's B Blood Type B Blood Type Group AB can donate to other AB's but can receive from all others AB Blood Type AB Blood Type 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. O positive is the most common
