The study suggests that people with Type A blood may be at a higher risk of contracting the virus. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected our daily lives for more than a year, as we continue to deal with the virus. The launch of vaccination has been gradual and recovery finally appears to be on the horizon. Recovery from the relatively new virus pandemic depends in part on the spread and growth of the virus at a rate that experts can continue to track. A new study suggesting that people with certain blood types may be more likely to contract the virus may delay the pandemic’s healing efforts a little more. Research published on March 3 in the scientific journal Blood advances suggests that individuals with Type A blood may be at higher risk of infection than people with other blood types. They note that if you have Type A blood, you shouldn’t worry too much if you are using regular COVID-19 prevention methods. Research has essentially found that the new coronavirus strain is particularly attracted to the blood group A antigen found in respiratory cells. “It is interesting that viral RBD really prefers only the type of blood group A antigens that are in the respiratory cells, which are presumably like the virus is entering most patients and infecting them,” said Sean Stowell, who is co- author of the study. “Blood type is a challenge because it is inherited and not something that we can change. … But if we can better understand how the virus interacts with blood groups in people, we may be able to find new drugs or methods of prevention. “ They further suggested that this is yet another reason for people with type A blood to be vaccinated, if they are eligible. [via]
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