All blood types are needed. Common blood types are needed because there are many patients with them. Less common blood types are needed because there are fewer donors to give them. However, people with O- blood are particularly in demand because they are the "universal donor." It means that people of all blood types can receive O- blood safely, so it is used during life-threatening emergencies or when the matching blood type is in short supply. AB types are universal recipients. This relationship is reversed for plasma products. AB type plasma can be transfused to all patients, while O- types are the universal plasma recipients. Therefore, all types are really needed!
Red blood cell compatibility table:
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What are blood groups? |
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The pattern of Agglutination (clumping) of antigens when exposed to antibodies determines the blood group. There are more than 20 genetically determined blood groups but AB0 and Rh are the most important ones used for blood transfusions. |
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What is blood made up of? |
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Blood is made up of |
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Red blood cells which contain hemoglobin, which transports oxygen and removes carbondioxide from body tissues. |
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White blood cells - to fight infection. |
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Platelets-to help the blood clot, if you hurt yourself. |
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Plasma-contains salt and various other proteins. |
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What does Rh mean?
| Rh is also an antigen. Persons who have Rh in their blood are called Rh+ and those who havent are called Rh-. The Rh antigen got its name from the Rheseus Monkey, in which this antigen was first found. |
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