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Why Not Give Type A Blood to Type B Person?

Blood typing is a necessary test in order to determine what blood type is needed (in the event of an emergency transfusion) or to whom the blood may be given (in the case of donation). Four blood types were identified in the early 20th century.

  1. Blood Types

    • The four human blood types are A, B, AB and O. Types A and B contain a different but specific blood antigen, AB has both antigens and O has neither.

    Characteristics

    • Individuals with type A blood can receive red blood cells from type A donors and donors with type O blood. If a type A patient receives type B blood, the two blood types will immediately clot and stop the blood flow.

    Function

    • The immune system views type B blood in a type A person as a foreign invader and will bind the blood, as if it were bacteria or a foreign invader, to prevent the mixture of the blood types.

    Donation

    • Type A patients can donate to people with type A blood and type AB blood. Type B patients can donate to people with type B blood or type AB blood.

    History

    • Attempts to transfuse blood from one individual to another have been made since the 1600s, but it wasn't until the latter half of the 19th century that the concept of blood types prevented successful transfusions. By the early 1900s, a scientist named Karl Landsteiner identified the four blood types.

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