These two are the most important blood grouping systems and are based on the three most important antigens, i.e. Basic of ABO and Rh Blood Group SystemĪBO blood group and Rh blood group is determined by the presence of three antigens ("A" and "B" for ABO system, "Rh" for Rh system).
This article will give you a basic understanding of blood group, especially of O-negative blood group. One of the components of this attack is antibodies ( special class of molecules that bind to antigens and helps immune system eliminate foreign antigens and the cells bearing them). However, any foreign antigen will not be recognized as native and an immune response will be generated to eliminate the foreign antigens. Human body recognizes its own antigens and the immune system normally will not attack own antigens ( and thus the cells bearing these antigens). The "antigens" are special molecules that can elicit an immune response. You can book an appointment online, or you can call 0300 123 23 23 to book an appointment.Blood group is determined by the presence of antigen(s) on the membrane of red blood cells.
#WHY IS A NEGATIVE BLOOD TYPE RARE SERIES#
A series of tests with different types of antibody can be used to identify your blood group. If the blood does not react to any of the anti-A or anti-B antibodies, it's blood group O. If, for example, the solution contains anti-B antibodies and you have B antigens on your cells (you're blood group B), it will clump together. To work out your blood group, your red cells are mixed with different antibody solutions. The NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) website has more information about the Rh system. It's safe for most recipients because it does not have any A, B or RhD antigens on the surface of the cells, and is compatible with every other ABO and RhD blood group. It's often used in medical emergencies when the blood type is not immediately known. In most cases, O RhD negative blood (O-) can safely be given to anyone. This means you can be 1 of 8 blood groups:Ībout 85% of the UK population is RhD positive (36% of the population has O+, the most common type). If it's absent, your blood group is RhD negative. If this is present, your blood group is RhD positive.
Red blood cells sometimes have another antigen, a protein known as the RhD antigen. The NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) website has more information about the different blood groups. This is why group A blood must never be given to someone who has group B blood and vice versa.Īs group O red blood cells do not have any A or B antigens, it can safely be given to any other group. Receiving blood from the wrong ABO group can be life-threatening. For example, if someone with group B blood is given group A blood, their anti-A antibodies will attack the group A cells. Almost half of the UK population (48%) has blood group O.
Antibodies and antigensīlood is made up of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets in a liquid called plasma. Your blood group is determined by the genes you inherit from your parents.Įach group can be either RhD positive or RhD negative, which means in total there are 8 blood groups.
There are 4 main blood groups (types of blood) – A, B, AB and O.