When both are present, that is called blood type AB, and when neither are present, it’s called blood type O. Same is true for the B antigen and blood type B.

When only the A antigen is present, you are blood type A. Two antigens on your red blood cells determine type: A and B. Thankfully, in the many centuries since blood transfusions were first attempted, doctors and researchers discovered our different blood types and determined each type’s compatibility with other types. Otherwise, the transfusion may do more harm than good. When a patient needs a blood transfusion, it’s important they receive a blood type compatible to their own. Your blood type has another special power - it is the safest for newborns who have immune deficiencies and need transfusions!

About 80% of the population has a positive blood type, meaning your O-positive blood also is in demand. Blood type O-positive can be transfused into any patient who has a positive blood type – and that is a lot of people. Excessive bleeding is the most common cause of death within the first hour of a patient’s arrival at a trauma center, so doctors depend on blood type O-negative to save lives in such situations.īlood type O-positive is the most common: Almost 40 percent of the U.S. This is especially important when a patient arrives at a hospital with severe blood loss and there isn’t time to check their blood type. Blood type O-negative’s status as the universal donor is nothing to sneeze at – it means a patient with any blood type can receive your blood. We’re not exaggerating when we say blood type O has special powers.

Universal donor blood type