Blood Types.

This always gets be a little heated honestly, and I think it's because people don't have their information straight. There are four blood types, A, B, AB, and O. With each blood type, there's a part of the population that fits into A positive (+) or A Negative (-), B + or B-, AB + or AB -, or O + or O-. It's really good to know your blood type, it is such a life saver, and help you save time when donating blood. Right now, they really look for B, AB and A. O is a universal donor.This means they can donate to everyone and there blood can be received by anyone, this is because of antigens and such. About 50% (this is average, as it takes into account race) of the population fits in the O blood type. As sourced by the American Red Cross, O+ is the largest blood type. Second largest is A+, then B+ with a whopping 12%, and AB+. AB is a universal receiver. They can receive any blood type, so long as it stays within that sub group of positive of negative. AB is also most at risk, this is because the average percentage of people with this blood type is close to 5%. That's just AB+ though. When you get to AB -, it's ~ 1%. The rarest blood type in the world is this little AB -, second rarest is B-, then about equal with A- and O-. It's actually very crucial to know that sub type as well. I just want people to get their information straight... They can really benefit from this type of information. I know I donate blood, so some of this I really have to know. That I had a nurse as a second mother my entire life. Here's my source for stats! http://www.redcrossblood.org/learn-about-blood/blood-types

It can also be helpful to carry a card on you that identifies your blood type in case of an accident. It really doesn't take long to find out blood type in the ER but any amount of time could make a difference. I'm not sure why you say AB is most at risk, maybe I'm not understanding your point. Since AB can receive any type they would be least at risk. Although for plasma transfusions they can only get AB.

I don't Know D: I asked my parents and they said they don't remember my mom was going to look on my birth certificate, but she lost it :(

AB Can receive most blood, but because most Rh + blood types donate, there's still a problems for those negative types. drmario, you're absolutely right about plasma transfusion, I think the same also goes for platelets as well. I was planning on donating some platelets sometime soon.

All the Rh negative blood types would have that problem, but AB- can receive blood from all the other Rh negative types. However, O- can only receive O- blood. Also, Rh+ blood can be used for Rh- patients in emergencies but they would also have to treat for the "foreign" antibodies.

That's true! I see what you're saying, I think I might have messed up a tiny bit there, thank you for catching that. Other people can use that information as well. With all that being said though, Red Cross always needs donors too!

I'm actually not an organ donor, not yet at least. I feel that they can have any part of my blood, and I'll work my way up there when I can!