O negative red blood cells can be given to anybody if necessary, but it is always preferable to match the exact blood group. Transfusions are of red blood cells or other components such as plasma or platelets. Blood groups in AustraliaĪ person's blood group is described by the appropriate letter (A, B, AB or O) and by whether their blood is Rh-positive or Rh-negative.Īccording to Australian Red Cross Lifeblood, the percentage of blood group frequency in Australia is:Ī blood transfusion is the transfer of blood or blood components from one person to another. A person who is Rh-negative will experience a severe immune-system reaction if Rh-positive blood gets into their bloodstream. Your Rh type is determined by a different pair of genes to the ones that determine your ABO blood type (again, one inherited from each parent).īlood is either Rh-positive or Rh-negative, depending on whether certain molecules are present. Rh type blood factorĪ person's blood type used to be called their 'Rhesus type' but now we say 'Rh type'.

When a person needs a blood transfusion, the donated blood must match the recipient's blood or complications will occur.

A person's blood group is determined by a pair of genes - one gene inherited from each parent.Įach blood group is identified by its own set of molecules (called antigens), which are located on the surface of red blood cells. The 4 different blood groups in the ABO system are A, B, AB and O. Other blood group systems exist - to date, researchers have identified more than 300 minor blood groups External Link with new antigens still being discovered External Link. Together, they make up the 8 main blood groups. The 2 main ways to classify blood groups are the ABO system and the Rh system. Floating in the plasma are the red blood cells that carry oxygen, the white cells that form part of the immune system, and clotting cells called platelets. The bulk of your blood is made up of plasma. The blood carries oxygen and nutrients to every cell in the body and picks up waste products (such as carbon dioxide) for removal from the body. The circulatory system consists of the heart, blood vessels and blood.

O negative blood type rare