I had my blood type tested (and loads of other things to see if I am still healthy). Results were all good but I was a bit puzzled about the blood type. It said O.. I always thought there had to be a + or - too. If they say O can I assume its O +

Tomorrow or Monday I have to go back to get one more test result so I can ask but I am curious so if anyone knows the answer let me know.

Also the odds of O+ are of course a lot higher.

Yes there is a big difference between + and - O

Yes, you should ask. In Thailsn RH- is very rare so almost all Thais who are type O are O+ but this does not hold for foreigners.

It is possible they did not even test the RHO factor. Ask them.

If you are O Negative and need a transfusion in Thailand, blood of the right type will be scarce (worth asking around to see if you have friends/family who would donate in a pinch). On the other hand, you would be a "universal donor" and able to give blood to anyone including foreigners with other types of RH- blood, for which there are frequent appeals. If you are O positive then neither the case.

I went back will get the corrected result tomorrow with the rest of the tests. I hope its just O+ sounds a lot easier.. being an universal donor is nice.. however its a headache for yourself if blood is that rare.

But better to know about it in advance, so you can line up potential donors just in case!

Yes, you should ask. In Thailsn RH- is very rare so almost all Thais who are type O are O+ but this does not hold for foreigners.

It is possible they did not even test the RHO factor. Ask them.

If you are O Negative and need a transfusion in Thailand, blood of the right type will be scarce (worth asking around to see if you have friends/family who would donate in a pinch). On the other hand, you would be a "universal donor" and able to give blood to anyone including foreigners with other types of RH- blood, for which there are frequent appeals. If you are O positive then neither the case.

Sherl

Do you know if there is problem with availability of AB+ in Bangkok? Though I did read somewhere that they can use O+ on AB+ patients.

Thanks

AB+ not a big problem -- in fact, it is the "universal recipient" and can receive blood from all blood types, A, B, AB or O.

In Thailand the big problem is for people with any type of RH- blood. 99.5% of the Thai population is RH+.

I got the tests back and it was O + (small chance for O-) so no worries about blood for me now.