People with type O blood are less likely to become infected or develop serious illnesses caused by COVID-19, says one study. Research published in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine analyzed more than 225,000 people who were tested for COVID-19 between January 15 and June 30, 2020. Scientists found that people with type O negative blood had a 2.1% chance of positive testing for coronavirus – the lowest probability among all blood groups. The highest probability was in the positive blood group B, 4.2%. Keep reading – and to ensure your health and the health of others, don’t miss these sure signs that you’ve had the coronavirus.
Blood type resulted in “slightly lower risk” of infection
The researchers found that people with blood type O had a lower chance of severe COVID disease or death compared to people with other blood types.
In addition, people with Rh negative blood were found to be less likely to have infection and serious COVID-19 disease than people with Rh positive blood.
“Blood groups O and Rh- may be associated with a slightly lower risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and severe COVID-19 disease, “concluded the researchers.
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What this means?
The results are not entirely surprising. Other peer-reviewed studies have come to the same conclusion about COVID.
And scientists have previously found that certain blood types appear to be more protective against certain diseases than others. For example, people with type O blood tend to get more cholera sick than people with other blood types.
It may be due to antigens, proteins that cover the surface of red blood cells and determine their blood type. When a virus or bacteria enters the body, these antigens activate the immune system to fight the invader. Some blood types appear to be more effective sentinels than others.
Specific to COVID-19, people with type O blood have a lower tendency to form clots in general. One of the most serious – and poorly understood – complications of COVID-19 is that, in some people, the virus causes clots to form throughout the body, which can cause heart attacks, strokes and pulmonary embolisms, some of which can be fatal.
For now, these are theories that are undergoing further study. But now, some things are clear: people with type O blood are not immune to the coronavirus. Regardless of your blood type, you must follow all public health recommendations to avoid contracting or spreading COVID-19.
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How to survive this pandemic
As for you, do everything you can to avoid getting – and spreading – COVID-19 in the first place: Wear a face mask, get tested if you think you have coronavirus, avoid crowds (and bars and parties at home), practice social detachment, just perform essential tasks, wash your hands regularly, disinfect frequently touched surfaces and to overcome this pandemic in the healthiest way do not miss these 35 places you’re most likely to reach COVID.