and Western Europe, O positive is the most common blood type, as is having a positive Rh factor. According to the book Blood Groups and Red Cell Antigens, blood type B is common in people in Asia while blood type A is common in Central and Eastern Europe. How common or rare a blood type is varies by race, ethnic background, and what part of the world you live in. This is extremely rare, occurring in only a handful of people worldwide. A very small number of people have what’s called Rh null blood (also called gold blood), meaning it has no Rh factors at all. For example, some people have A positive blood while others have A negative. And people with an O blood type have neither A nor B antigens.Įach of those types are further broken down based on their Rh factor. Some people have both A and B antigens, giving them AB blood. If you have B antigens, you have a B blood type. If your blood has A antigens, you have an A blood type. Blood is typed according to an ABO blood group system. Again, blood types are based on the antigens (or lack of them) found on your blood cells and whether or not your blood contains the Rh D factor. The vast majority of people have one of eight blood types. From typing to transfusing, here’s what you need to know about your blood and your health. Healthy blood is essential for a healthy life. Mixing one type of blood that’s incompatible with another-thanks to things like antigens and Rh factor-can be fatal. If your blood lacks it, you have a negative blood type.Ĭategorizing blood according to type is important for things like blood transfusions, which replace blood that’s lost through surgery, accidents, and bleeding disorders. If your blood contains the Rh D factor-the most prevalent and important of the Rh factors-you have a positive blood type. Blood is further classified by its rhesus factor (aka, Rh factor). These are proteins and other molecules present on the outside of your red blood cells they determine what type of blood you have. Your plasma contains antibodies, which are substances your immune system uses to fight foreign invaders like germs and bacteria. And there’s plasma, which provides the body with things like nutrients and hormones. There are platelets, which help your blood clot. There are red and white blood cells, which carry oxygen and help fight infection, respectively. If all you know about your blood is that it’s red, you have some catching up to do.īlood is made up of a lot of different components.
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