Question
If someone has a blood type of AB, does that mean he or she could only use blood donated from others with the AB blood type?
Answer
No. Someone with an AB blood type is extremely fortunate. They could receive donated blood from any of the other blood types, whether they have A, B, AB, or O blood. Anyone with any other blood type has, at most, two blood donor groups, and the Os have only one. Those of the O blood type can only receive O blood. Those with A blood can receive blood from other As or from Os. And those of the B group can receive blood from other Bs and from Os. Someone with AB blood is called a “Universal Recipient,” meaning they can receive blood from virtually anyone with safe blood. However, he or she can only donate blood to other ABs.
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