AN OVERVIEW
About blood group test
Why is the blood group test done?
The blood group test is performed in the following circumstances:
- When blood transfusion is required.
- When blood is donated.
- When any organ, tissue, or bone marrow is donated for transplantation.
- To check the possibility of RH factor incompatibility in a pregnant woman.
What does the blood group test measure?
There are approximately 300 blood types. The ABO and RhD blood categories are the most prominent.
There are four blood groups and eight blood types in the ABO blood group system. These are classified depending on the presence or absence of two antigens and antibodies, which are A and B.
- Group A has Antigen A and Antibody B.
- Group B has Antigen B and Antibody A.
- Group A has both Antigen A and B but does not have Antibodies.
- Group O does not have Antigens but has both A and B Antibodies.
Another categorization is based on the RH (Rhesus) factor. This is both a protein and an antigen found on the cell membrane of red blood cells. It was named after the rhesus monkey or rhesus macaque, since it was initially supposed that it also has the same antigen. However, this was later disapproved. Blood groups are based on whether a person has the RH factor in his/her blood or not.
- RH-positive: RH antigens are found on the surface of red blood cells of those having RH-positive blood. RH-positive people can receive both RH-positive or RH-negative blood.
- RH-negative: Rh-negative people do not have RH antigens in their blood. People with RH-negative blood can receive blood only from RH-negative people.
A person’s blood type is determined by combining the ABO and RH grouping categories. Owing to this, the ABO classification is given a plus or minus sign, which results in the following types: A+, A-, B+, B-, AB+, AB-, O+, and O-.
The chart below mentions various blood types and the Rh(D) factor.
| Blood type | A | B | O | AB |
| Rh-positive | A+ | B+ | O+ | AB+ |
| Rh-negative | A- | B- | O- | AB- |
Risks/side effects of blood group test
You might experience dizziness and lightheadedness after taking the test. In some cases, hematoma, which is the collection of blood outside the blood vessels, can also occur. Sometimes, locating the vein for venipuncture also becomes difficult.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
FAQs
What is a blood group test?
A blood group test is used to determine your blood group type (A, B, AB, or O), depending on whether particular antigens in your blood are present or not.
An Austrian biologist and immunologist, Karl Landsteiner, classified the blood groups in 1900, which made the process of blood transfusion effective and less riskier.
How to prepare for the blood group test?
No special preparation is required for the blood group test.
How is the blood group test performed?
The blood group test is performed by obtaining a blood sample from a vein using a needle. A finger prick might also be used for toddlers and adults and a heel prick for infants.
THINGS TO KNOW AFTER GETTING TESTED
Interpreting the blood group test results
The blood group test results will show which blood group a person has (A, B, AB, or O). It can also tell whether he or she is RH negative or positive.
Below is a list of blood groups and the blood types that are compatible with them.
| Blood Group and RH type of patients | Compatible Blood Types for RBC Transfusion |
| A positive | A positive, A negative, O positive, O negative |
| A negative | A negative, O negative |
| A positive | A positive, A negative, O positive, O negative |
| B positive | B positive, B negative, O positive, O negative |
| B negative | B negative, O negative |
| AB positive | AB positive, AB negative, A positive, A negative, B positive, B negative, O positive, O negative |
| AB negative | AB negative, A negative, B negative, O negative |
| O positive | O positive, O negative |
| O negative | O negative |
A baby is likely to have RH-positive blood if the mother is RH-negative and the father is RH-positive. In this case, the mother is given Rh immunoglobulin (RhIg), which prevents her body from producing RH antibodies that might attack the child’s red blood cells if the blood of the mother and the child come into contact.
Blood group test in Chandigarh
Starts from 40*
The blood group test tells us our blood group type, based on the presence of certain antigens. It is important to be aware of our blood group so that the required type of blood can be obtained conveniently in case of an emergency.
Read further to know more about the blood group test in Chandigarh, including its price and cost, procedure, test result interpretation, etc.
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