Blood Typing
Have you ever wondered what makes you have a certain blood type and what blood types are most compatible with yours? Here’s a quick overview of what determines your blood type and a chart listing what types are compatible to yours.
The Basics
Blood type is categorized according to the ABO system.
Red blood cells can have the antigens “A” or “B” attached to them. If you have the protein “A” attached to your red blood cell, you are blood type A. If you have the protein “B” attached to your red blood cell, you are blood type B. If you have both the “A” protein and “B” protein attached to your red blood cell, you are type AB. If you have no proteins attached to your red blood cell, you are type O.
You also may have Rh antigens on the surface of your red cells. If you do, that makes your blood type “positive” (+). If these antigens aren’t present, your blood type is negative (-).
Percentage of Blood Type Groupings in an Average 100 Citizens of the U.S.
Blood Type RH+ RH-
45% will be O of which 38.5 and 6.5
40% will be A of which 34.3 and 5.7
10% will be B of which 8.6 and 1.4
5% will be AB of which 4.3 and .7
Compatability Chart For Red Cell Transfusion
To find out which blood donation is best for you and the community go to the home page and look at the blood supply status chart.
Patient’s Blood Type Is:
A+
A-
B+
B-
AB+
AB-
O+
O-
Patient* May Receive Type:
A+, A-, O+, O-
A-, O-
B+, B-, O+, O-
B-, O-
AB+, AB-, A+, A-, B+, B-, O+, O-
AB-, A-, B-, 0-
O+, O-
O-