Who is a True Universal Donor? Know About All Blood Types

If you wonder which blood group is called a universal donor, you have landed on the right page. A blood group universal donor is O negative (O-), and the universal recipient is AB positive (AB+). But what exactly is a universal blood donor and universal recipient? This blog will provide details about blood groups, universal donors, and universal recipients. 

Did You Know? 

Only 13% of the population in India have O-negative blood. However, 35% of the population has O-positive blood. No matter their blood type, the o-negative blood group can be given to anyone. Even in scenarios of emergencies (surgery, accidents, or cancer patients) and even when a patient’s blood type is unknown. 

All about Universal Blood Donor 

A universal donor blood is a person who can donate blood to any blood type (recipient). Although, people with an O blood type are known as universal blood donors.

• People with O-Negative (O-) are universal donors because their red blood cells don’t carry antigens. 
• People with O-positive (O+) can’t give blood to Rh-negative people. 

About 34.56% of the Indian population are universal donor blood group and universal plasma donors, i.e., o+ or o-. Of these, 35% are O-positive, while 13% have O-positive blood. Genetics and environmental factors play important roles in the distribution of blood groups in different regions. 

Understand about Blood Types

Most people in India are unaware of their blood type. However, knowing your blood type is important, especially when donating blood. 

The type of blood group depends on the classification of blood, which depends on the presence or absence of antibodies and inherited antigens on the surface of red blood cells. 

Antigens 

Antigens, which contain protein and carbohydrates, are present on the surface of red blood cells. Your immune system produces them as a natural defense against exposure to foreign antigens. 

• O positive is the blood group universal donor. 
• O negative is the universal plasma donor. 

Rh Factor 

Rh factor is another system that determines a person’s blood group. It is also known as the Rh system or the Rhesus system. It contains 49 blood group antigens, of which five are the most important. Among all, the D antigen is a vital component, most likely to provoke an immune system response of the five main Rh antigens. If present, the blood type is called RhD+ (positive); if absent, it is RhD- (negative). 

A, B, O, and AB are common blood groups. They are made of antibodies, antigens, and Rh factors. Here is a detailed classification of blood types. 

Blood Group	Antibodies (in Plasma)	Antigens (in Red Blood Cells)	Rh Factor (antigen D)
A-	Anti-B	A	Absent
A+	Anti-B	A	Present
B-	Anti-A	B	Absent
B+	Anti-A	B	Present
O-	Anti-B, Anti-A	Nil	Absent
O+	Anti-A, Anti-B	Nil	Positive
AB-	Nil	A and B	Absent
AB+	Nil	A and B	Positive

What is the Rarest Blood Type and the Most Common in India? 

AB+ is the rarest blood type in India. Here is a calculated and researched table-wise distributed prevalence of blood groups in India. 

Blood Group	Percentage in Indian Population
O+	35%
O-	13%
A+	30%
A-	8%
B-	2%
B+	8%
AB-	1%
AB+	2%

Blood Transfusion 

A person can receive a blood transfusion from someone with their blood type. However, some blood types can also receive blood from people with certain other blood groups. O+ is the universal blood donor but is in high demand since it is the most common blood type. 

You may need a blood transfusion when your body is low on red blood cells or blood components like plasma or platelets. However, you may also need a blood transfusion in the case of: 

• Severe accident
• Premature babies 
• Cancer treatment
• During pregnancy 
• Blood loss 
• Anemia 
• Bleeding disorder 
• Autoimmune disorder.

Here is a table-wise breakdown of recipient blood types and their matching donor blood types. 

Recipient Blood Type	Donor Blood Type
A+	A+, A-, O+, O-
A-	A-, O-
B+	B+. B-, O+, O-
B-	B-, O-
AB+	Any blood type
AB-	AB-, A-, B-, O-
O+	O+, O-
O-	O-

It is possible to have an allergic reaction to a blood transfusion. A blood type mismatch does not cause this. Rather, it happens when the recipient’s body identifies the donor blood as a foreign invader and destroys the cells. These symptoms include: 

• Chills 
• Fever 
• Itching 
• Shortness of breath 
• Rash 

The Bottom Line 

Universal blood donors and universal recipients are unique. A person with a universal blood type can give blood to any person. However, a person with a universal recipient blood group can get blood from any blood type. India requires 14.6 million blood units annually, but the supply is usually less. Blood is useful for various medical procedures, surgeries, pregnancy complications, and cancer. So, whether you are a universal donor or not, donate blood if you can. It is valuable no matter what. 

FAQs 

Ques1 What are the rarest blood types in India? 

Ans1 The rarest blood types are AB-, AB+, B-, and A-. These blood groups hold the lowest prevalence in India. 

Ques2 Which blood type is a universal blood donor? 

Ans2 O negative (O-) is the universal blood donor, i.e., it can donate blood to all blood types.