BLOOD GROUP A

People who are blood group A have type A antigens present on the surface of red blood cells and anti-B antibodies present in their blood:

group A copy.png

Because of this, people with blood group A can only receive group A or O blood. They cannot receive group B or AB blood, as the anti-B antibodies in their blood will attach to the type B antigens and destroy the blood cells, causing an immune response that can ultimately be fatal.

  • If someone with blood group A receives group B blood, the anti-B antibodies in their blood will attach to the type B antigens and destroy the blood cells.

  • If someone with blood group A receives group AB blood, the anti-B antibodies in their blood will attach to the type B antigens and destroy the blood cells.

However, people with blood group A can receive group O blood as it does not contain A or B antigens.

group O.png