Blood Types and Covid-19
According to one or more preliminary studies it has been noted that people with blood group A+ are more at risk of becoming infected with coronavirus as well as needing hospital treatment. Can anyone confirm this is the case, and what advice can you give to those of us that are Blood group A+? And if this is the case then why is that Blood group A may have worse cases of the virus?
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@zep Blood types are not done routinely. However, at birth -nowadays at least- babies are typed and mothers during pregnancy.
You are right- if you need blood it will be done then. Don’t get hurt!!
@zep
If you really want to find out your blood type and you don’t want to go to the lab go donate blood.
Jake
Ingegerd - Thank you for bringing that up; it seems like maybe I saw my blood type on my birth certificate. Does that seem likely?
Jake - Good idea. I've been meaning to anyway. I wonder if there is an upper age limit.
@zep
No, there is no age limit (must be over 17) as long as you feel healthy at the time of your donation and you meet certain qualifications you’re free to donate. I’m not sure where you live or where you would go to donate but the American Red Cross will ask 54 questions, take your temperature, blood pressure, heart rate and your hemoglobin level must be at least 13. I donate platelets twice a month, whole blood every 56 days or so and plasma every 28 days. I enjoy donating platelets since they only last for five days and there is a constant need for them and also because they are frequently given to children with cancer which is very rewarding that you played a part in helping a child feel/get better.
Jake
@zep - it is very possible that your blood type was on your birth certificate. Some birth certificates are more detailed than others. I like the donate blood idea!
Once I was called to jury duty and they had called too many people. There was a long, long wait. Mid afternoon it was announced that anyone willing to donate blood upstairs could leave after that! I ran upstairs!
@astaingegerdm
I hope your a regular now.
Jake
@zep. I got my blood typed when I had my second child, they told me something about my blood not compatible with my son or something like that,also something about antibodies. I have OPositive, that's good I guess. My son found out recently he's type A. I don't think it's routine to type blood but it's good to know if any of my family needs blood, albeit aged, like fine wine, I'm willing and able to give. It seems that everyday there's something on the internet about things relating to covid. There's alot of fake news so I don't really pay attention to them anymore.
Ingegerd - What a great story! I think I woulda run upstairs too.
Jake - Wow, you really know the drill, don't you? But good grief, do you have any fluid at all left running in your veins? I donated once, but inadvertently let myself go to donate in a very dehydrated state, and nearly passed out. I know better now, but still don't feel particularly blood-laden since my thyroid doc wants blood way too often, in my opinion. (bok bok bok cluck, I'm a bit of a chicken...) However, your example is very inspiring and the need is great, I know.