Before you travel, know your blood type

firetown · 2017-03-04T07:48:29+01:00

Discover crucial info on blood types for travelers in expat communities. Learn about rarity, transfusion risks, and vital tips for safe travels.

firetown Active member

Member since 19 November 2016

firetownActive member04 March 2017 05:48:29

Did you know that if for example you carry the O negative blood type, you can only receive blood from other O negative?
And that in some countries the rh negative blood factor is extremely rare?
Only around 0.3% in China are O negative meaning you could only accept a blood transfusion from 3 in 1000 people. Some areas, villages have even rarer occurences.
In ADDITION, doctors of those regions are sometimes ignorant to the importance and people have died getting the wrong blood transfused.
Here is a list of blood type frequencies worldwide:

And here are some more tips:

If you do not know your blood type, you can simply donate and find out that way.
And if you happen to be rhesus negative, carry something in your wallet indicating such and connect with some of the organizations dedicated to making sure people with rare blood types will be ok in extreme circumstances.

beppi Germany/Singapore Expert

Member since 08 August 2010

Germany & Singapore Expert

beppiGermany/Singapore Expert04 March 2017 08:34:37

15497

You are right!
I am B-, one of the rarer blood types and virtually non-existent among Asian populations (where I lived for many years). I found that in Asia even many doctors aren't aware of the existence of rhesus factors and happily assume everybody is +.

SimCityAT Expert

Member since 08 April 2014

SimCityATExpert04 March 2017 08:43:46

12252

A good topic, and a good one to know.

Thank you Firetown

Bob K VIP Member

Member since 25 June 2007

Bob KVIP Member04 March 2017 12:05:13

7675

Ours is listed on both our US and Dominican driver's license

Bob K

GabyWinmer Member

Member since 29 June 2017

GabyWinmerMember29 June 2017 02:26:50

Yeah, you're right. The rhesus negative had become a problem since long time ago and up until now the scientist still havn't solve this problem yet. Hopefully in the future, someone who is rhesus negative blood type are able to received rhesus positive blood type ? Nah , just admit it : )

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GuestPoster1130 Guest

GuestPoster1130Guest30 June 2017 15:15:12

Yeah Thats kind of interesting ...聽 Never thought of that..聽 I am聽 AB+ve .. I am universal Accept or聽聽.. I am sure of one thing.. I wont die from non presence of blood type around me..