When you think of the most common blood type, you will think of the O type as the one thing about the O type is that any recipient of other blood types can get this type as it is pretty much universal. The O positive blood type specifically is the most common one. And when you think of the rarest blood type in the world, you think of AB negative.
Whenever someone who has the O type, whether it is positive or negative RH factor needs a blood transfusion, they can only use other O types and the RH factor is relevant in cases where the recipient has a negative RH factor. That means if someone who has O negative blood, they can only take blood from donors that are also O negative. They cannot take in blood from those who have the A, or B, or AB blood type regardless of them having the RH factor or not. And it would not be overly common for a donor to have the AB blood type regardless because it is a rare type to begin with. But is the AB blood type the rarest one in the world? No, it is not.
In fact, less than 50 people in the world have a blood type that you likely have never heard of, which is the golden blood type. And you may think that those who have the golden blood type are part of royalty or are special in some way. However, that is far from that type of belief which would be understandable for you to have that belief. Those with the golden blood type are a lot worse off than those who have other types as it is can be quite dangerous for them.
Why Does The Golden Blood Type Have The Potential To Be Dangerous To Those Who Have It?
Firstly, the golden blood type has a scientific name that the Rhnull blood as it was discovered in 1961. So far it has been found that 43 people have it. The fact that it has unique properties so rare will make it so dangerous when it comes to anyone who has that particular blood type requiring a blood transfusion.
That is the reason those who have AB negative or positive blood are not in danger. Those who have A, B, O, and AB can donate blood or organs to them if needed. Those who have the O blood type may be able to donate to those with A, B, AB, and other O types, but those with O types cannot receive blood from anyone else other than those who have the O type and the RH factor is relevant as it was already mentioned. However, since that is the most common type, those with the O type are not in danger either. But they cannot donate to those with golden blood.
What Makes Your Blood Type Compatible Or Incompatible With Other Types?
When you are wanting to give blood or you need a transfusion, you have to have your blood type known. That is because your blood contains a number of antigens and the right type of antigens can only mix with the correct or compatible blood type. Those who have the O blood type have antigens that are compatible with other types, but that is not the case if the role was reversed.
If you end up receiving blood with different antigens or the ones that are not compatible with your type, then you will end up with your immune system attacking the blood cells which would be dangerous. The same would apply if you have an RH factor that is negative and you receive blood with a positive RH factor.
However, those with the golden blood are lacking 45 key antigens which even makes the O blood type incompatible. This is why those who have golden blood are in danger if they need a transfusion. Yet at the same time, this also means that those who have golden blood need to donate blood as well so they can provide it to those who have this blood type that requires a transfusion.
This is why it is important that everyone gives blood, and those who have the golden blood are deeply encouraged to do that for obvious reasons.
