O Positive Blood Type Facts: You Should Know!

By John C. Barnard Last updated Apr 15, 2022 0

The most common blood type in the United States is O positive (O+).

About 43% of Americans have the blood type O, with O-positive people accounting for 38% of the population.

It is also the most usually required blood type during blood transfusions, making it the most needed blood type.

People with blood group O can donate blood to people with all other positive blood types (including A+, B+, and AB+) as well as other O-positive people. Because more than 80% of the population has a positive blood type, O-positive blood is in high demand. As a result of its high demand, it is also the blood type that may experience frequent shortages.

O-positive blood is the preferable type to be transfused in patients with uncertain blood types who require blood transfusions.

This may be done in individuals who have suffered serious injuries as a result of car accidents or other crises.

The O-positive blood group is recommended because it has a lower risk of allergic responses and is more commonly available than the O-negative blood group.

People who are CMV-negative but have the O blood group are referred to as “heroes for newborns.” CMV negative refers to those who have never been exposed to the cytomegalovirus. The O-positive and CMV-negative blood types are the safest blood types for immunocompromised babies to receive.

Although O-positive persons can donate blood to people of any positive blood type, they can only receive blood from people who are O positive or O negative (O).

People with blood group O had a lower risk of heart disease and cognitive issues (including dementia) than the general population, according to research.

What Are the Different Types of Blood?

The presence or absence of certain proteins on the surface of your red blood cells, known as blood group antigens, determines your blood group (RBCs).

The genes you acquire from your parents define your blood group. The antigens “A” and “B” are the two major blood group antigens.

You have blood group A if your RBCs have the A antigen on their surface.

You have blood type B if the B antigen is present on the surface of your RBCs instead of the A antigen.

The blood type AB is defined by the presence of both A and B antigens.

The O blood group is defined by the absence of both A and B antigens in individuals.

Aside from these antigens, the presence or absence of a protein known as the Rh factor determines whether your blood type is negative or positive. Your blood type will be A positive (A+) if you have A antigen and Rh factor on your RBCs; however, if A antigen is present but Rh factor is lacking, your blood type will be A negative (A).

The Various Blood Types Are Explained the Below:

Table showing different blood types, blood group antigens, and Rh factor.

The antigen of the blood group

The rhodium factor

A+ A present, B absent A+ A present, B absent A+ A present, B absent A+

A is present, whereas B is absent.

B+ B is present, but A is not.

B is present, but A is not.

AB+

Antigens A and B are both presents.

AB Antigens A and B are both present Absent

O+ Antigens A and B are both presents.

Antigens A and B are both presents.

Which Blood Type Is Referred to as the Universal Donor?

The blood group O negative is referred to as a universal donor since it may donate blood to people of any blood type. It’s also utilized in infant blood transfusions.

People with O-negative blood types who are also CMV negative are referred to as “heroes for newborns” by the red cross society, just like donors who are O positive but CMV negative.

People who have O-negative blood groups can only get O-negative blood, which is a high-demand blood group. It is only found in about 7% of the population.

Blood group O negative is frequently in low supply due to its rarity and high demand.

As a result, people with this blood type who are healthy are encouraged to donate blood and help save countless lives.

According to statistics, just 5% of the US population is qualified to donate blood, despite the fact that 50% of the population is eligible. If you are eligible, you should consider giving blood so that it can be used when someone is in need.

People were transfused blood without matching or typing before the blood groups were discovered. Several difficulties and even deaths arose as a result of this.

These days, blood transfusions are only performed following blood typing. As a result, people with specific blood groups can only donate to and receive from other people who have the same blood group.

Transfusion of Blood Groups (Table)

blood type

Can give blood to and get blood from

A+ A+, AB+ A+, A+, A, O+, O+, O+, O+, O+, O+, O+, O+, O+, O+

A+, A, AB+, AB A-, O+, O+, O+, O+, O+, O+, O+, O+, O+, O+, O+,

B+ B+, AB+ B+, B, O+, O+, O+, O+, O+, O+, O+, O+, O+, O+, O+

B+, B, AB+, AB B, O+, O+, O+, O+, O+, O+, O+, O+, O+, O+, O+, O

AB+ AB+ AB+ AB+ AB+ AB+ AB+ AB+ AB+

O, A, B, A+, A+, A+, A+, A+, A+, A+, A+, A+, A+, A+, A+, A+, A+, A+,

O+, A+, B+, AB+ O+, O+, O+, O+, O+, O+, O+, O+, O+, O+, O+,

O Every type of blood group

O−

People who have blood group AB are known as universal recipients because they can receive blood from any blood group. Furthermore, people with the AB blood type are known as universal plasma donors because they may donate their plasma (the liquid left behind after blood cells are removed) to people of any blood type.

Burns, shock, severe traumas, cancer, some liver ailments, and certain blood clotting factor diseases all necessitate plasma donation.

The AB blood group is the most uncommon, accounting for only 0.6 percent of the US population, whereas the AB+ blood group is found in roughly 3.4 percent of the population.