Blood grouping... someone explain this please

[Indadhanu]

We keep forgetting to ask, and while I remember I figure someone might be able to tell me.

Results say

Blood type O Rh(D) positive
Antibody screen negative

What is 'antibody screen'?
Would that be O+ or O-? I'm not sure what makes blood positive or negative? Is it the RH factor or the antibody?

[Beach Mama]

Pretty sure that is O+ Leash. I am Rh neg so O -. I eas told the letter is for your blood type and the + or - refers to rhesus factor. not sure what the antibody screen neg is, could be saying there are no antibodies built up?

[Little Chicken]

There are many different sub-categories of blood groups. The main ones everyone knows are A, B, AB, and O plus the rhesus positive or negative. The anitbody screen looks for antibodies produced when you have been exposed to a different blood group either through pregnancy or blood transfusion for example. As these antibodies to minor blood groups can cause problems during or after pregnancy, eg severe jaundice in the baby. An example of one is anti-kell.

[Indadhanu]

Oh! Thanks muminalice That makes more sense. I couldn't work that out, I hadn't heard of the antibody screen. The things you learn