What determines the type of blood that a person can receive in transfusion?

The type of blood that a person can receive in a transfusion is determined by the presence or absence of specific antigens on the surface of red blood cells. These antigens are inherited and can be either A, B, or O. People with type A blood have only A antigens, those with type B blood have only B antigens, those with type AB blood have both A and B antigens, and those with type O blood have neither A nor B antigens.

In addition to the ABO blood group, there is also the Rh factor, which is another antigen found on red blood cells. People who have the Rh factor are Rh-positive, while those who don't have it are Rh-negative.

When a person receives a blood transfusion, the donor's red blood cells must be compatible with the recipient's plasma. If the donor's red blood cells have antigens that the recipient's plasma does not recognize, the recipient's immune system will attack and destroy the donor's red blood cells, causing a transfusion reaction.

The following are the blood types that a person can receive in transfusion, based on their own blood type:

* Type A: can receive type A or O blood

* Type B: can receive type B or O blood

* Type AB: can receive any blood type

* Type O: can only receive type O blood

The Rh factor is also taken into account when determining compatibility for blood transfusions. Rh-positive people can receive blood from either Rh-positive or Rh-negative donors, while Rh-negative people can only receive blood from Rh-negative donors.