

The Ro subtype is most common among African Americans (44%), and because this ethnic group is most likely to develop sickle cell disease, Ro subtype blood is more likely to be needed for blood transfusions. That means your blood type could be A+, B+, AB+ or O+. You may have the blood subtype Ro (a special marker on your red blood cells) if you are Rh positive. 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. Blood types are based on the antigens (or lack of them) found in 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. How many different blood types are there? 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.
