Select Your Blood Type
Full Compatibility Table
| Donor \ Recipient | O+ | O- | A+ | A- | B+ | B- | AB+ | AB- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| O+ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
| O- | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| A+ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
| A- | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| B+ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
| B- | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| AB+ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
| AB- | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
Blood Type Distribution
Approximate worldwide blood type distribution by percentage.
Blood Type Inheritance
Possible child blood types based on parent combinations (ABO system only, Rh factor not shown).
| Parent Combination | Possible Child Types |
|---|---|
| O + O | O |
| O + A | OA |
| O + B | OB |
| O + AB | AB |
| A + A | OA |
| A + B | OABAB |
| A + AB | ABAB |
| B + B | OB |
| B + AB | ABAB |
| AB + AB | ABAB |
About Blood Type Compatibility
Blood type compatibility is critical for safe blood transfusions. Each blood type has specific antigens and antibodies that determine which types can be safely mixed. Understanding these relationships can be life-saving in emergencies. The ABO and Rh factor systems are the two most important blood group classifications used worldwide.
FAQ
Q: What is a universal blood donor?
A: O-negative (O-) is considered the universal red blood cell donor because it can be transfused to patients of any blood type. This is because O- red blood cells lack A, B, and Rh antigens, meaning they will not trigger an immune response in any recipient.
Q: What is a universal blood recipient?
A: AB-positive (AB+) is the universal recipient for red blood cell transfusions. Individuals with AB+ blood have all major antigens (A, B, and Rh) on their red blood cells, so their immune system will not attack any donated blood type.
Q: What is the Rh factor?
A: The Rh factor (also called Rhesus factor) is a protein found on the surface of red blood cells. If your blood has this protein, you are Rh-positive (+). If not, you are Rh-negative (-). Rh incompatibility is especially important during pregnancy, as an Rh-negative mother carrying an Rh-positive baby may develop antibodies that can affect future pregnancies.
Q: Can my blood type change over time?
A: Under normal circumstances, your blood type remains the same throughout your life. However, in extremely rare cases, a bone marrow transplant from a donor with a different blood type can change the recipient's blood type to match the donor's.
Q: Why is blood type compatibility important for transfusions?
A: If incompatible blood is transfused, the recipient's immune system may attack the donated red blood cells, causing a hemolytic transfusion reaction. This can lead to fever, kidney failure, shock, and can be fatal. That is why careful blood type matching is essential before any transfusion.