Do you know who can donate blood to you or who can you donate blood to? Blood donation may not be complex, but it does need to be compatible with yours and vice-versa. The blood types are determined by the presence or absence of certain antigens - substance that can trigger immune response if they are foreign to the body.

There are four major blood groups which are determined by the presence or absence of two antigens, A and B, on the surface of red blood cells. There is also a protein called the Rh factor, which can either be present (+) or absent (-), which creates A+, A-, B+, B-, O+. O-, AB+, AB- blood types.

Group A blood type has only A antigens on red blood cells and B antibody in the plasma. B has only B antigen on red cells and A antibody in the plasma. AB has both A and antigens on red cells, but neither A nor B antibody is present in the plasma. O has neither A nor B antigens on red cells, but both A and B antibody are present in the plasma.

Blood Type And Who Can You Donate To?

Your blood type determines who can you donate to. This is because there are very specific ways in which blood types must be matched for safe transfusion. The right blood transfusion could actually save you, while the wrong one could be lethal. Also, Rh-negative blood is given to Rh-negative patients and Rh-positive or Rh-negative blood can only be given to Rh-positive patients.

If you are O blood type, you can donate to O, A, B, and AB, if you are A blood type, you can donate to A and AB, if you are B blood type, you can donate to B and AB, however if you are AB, you can only donate to AB.

Who Can You Receive Blood From?

If you are O blood type, you can only receive from O. If you are A, you can receive from type A and O. If you are blood type B, you can receive from type B and O. If you are AB, you are lucky, you can receive blood from O, A, B, and AB.

There are more than 600 other known antigens, the presence or absence of which creates "rare blood types". Certain types are unique to specific ethnic or racial groups, this is why an African-American blood donation can be the best hope for the needs of patients with sickle cell disease, as per the Red Cross Organization.

Universal Blood Donor

Type O is one in high demand, as it can donate blood to anyone. O negative blood type is the universal blood type, which can donate to everyone, especially during the emergency transfusions and for immune deficient infants.

Who Have These Blood Types In US?

In the US, 37% Caucasian, 47% African-American, 39% Asians, and 53% Latino-American are O-positive. However, only 8% of Caucasian, 4% of African-American, 1% Asian, and 4% Latino=Americans are O-negative.

A+: 33% Caucasian, 34% African-American, 27% Asian, 29% Latino-American

A-: 7% Caucasian, 2% African-American, .5% Asian, 2% Latino-American

B+: 9% Caucasian, 18% African-American, 25% Asian, 9% Latino-American

B-: 2% Caucasian, 2% African-American, .4% Asian, 1% Latino-American

AB+:3% Caucasian, 4% African-American, 7% Asian, 2% Latino-American

AB-: 1% Caucasian, .3% African-American, .1% Asian, .2% Latino-American

A majority of women may experience infections during the crucial phase of pregnancy. Some infections during pregnancy may also not show clear symptoms. However, timely awareness and prevention can protect both the mother and the baby.

Pregnancy is a special and sensitive phase in a woman’s life. While most women focus on nutrition and regular check-ups, infections during pregnancy can often be neglected.

Some infections may cause only mild symptoms in the mother but can seriously affect the unborn baby if not detected early. Hence, regular screening, good hygiene, and timely medical care are crucial to prevent most pregnancy-related infections and ensure a safe and healthy pregnancy.

Common Infections During Pregnancy

• Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)

• Vaginal infections

• Respiratory infections

• TORCH infections

• Hepatitis B and C can be passed from mother to baby during childbirth if not properly managed.

Tips To Follow To Prevent Infections During Pregnancy

• Pregnant women should go for regular antenatal check-ups, maintain good personal hygiene, and not use any chemical-laden products.
• Stay hydrated and drink enough water, eat home-cooked food, avoid raw or undercooked items, wash your hands frequently, and get vaccinated as recommended by the doctor.
• Take a flu shot on a priority basis. Avoid contact with rodents and pets.
• Make sure to consult the expert in case of symptoms such as fever, pain, or unusual discharge for prompt intervention.
• Get tested for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) such as HPV, chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes, syphilis, and trichomoniasis.
• Early detection and treatment will be beneficial in safeguarding both mother and baby and ensuring a healthy pregnancy.

A severe influenza A virus, commonly known as seasonal flu, may not only leave you coughing and feeling feverish, but also silently damage your heart, increasing the risk of heart attacks, according to a study.

A team of researchers from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, US, unraveled that the influenza A virus directly damages the heart by hijacking immune cells. This leads to long-lasting cardiac dysfunction even after the lung infection is cleared.

The study, published in February 2026 in the journal Immunity, focused on an immune cell, known as pro-dendritic cell 3.

The researchers revealed that the pro-dendritic cell 3 acts as the ‘Trojan horse’ of the immune system during flu infection and carries the virus to the heart from the lungs.

Once in the heart, it produces large amounts of type 1 interferon and triggers the death of cardiomyocytes, impairing cardiac output.

Importantly, the findings showed that an annual flu vaccine can prevent damage to the heart.

“We have known for years that the frequency of heart attacks increases during flu season, yet outside of clinical intuition, scant evidence exists of the underlying mechanisms of that phenomenon,” said senior author Filip Swirski, Director of the Cardiovascular Research Institute at the Icahn.

“These findings offer great promise for the development of new therapies, which are desperately needed since there are currently no viable clinical options to prevent cardiac damage,” Swirski added.

What The Study Found

The team studied autopsies of 35 hospitalized patients who died of influenza. Of these, more than 85 percent had at least one significant cardiovascular comorbidity, such as hypertension. A majority of them also had multiple comorbidities, including atherosclerosis and cardiac fibrosis, underscoring cardiovascular disease as a major driver of influenza mortality.

The study also provided evidence that a cutting-edge modified mRNA treatment that dampens an interferon signaling pathway in the heart can significantly mitigate cardiac damage following viral infection while preserving the protective antiviral response of the immune system.

“The hopeful news for patients is that by injecting a novel mod-RNA therapeutic that modulates the IFN-1 signaling pathway, we reduced levels of cardiac damage, as evidenced by lower troponin, and improved cardiac function, as measured by higher left ventricular ejection fraction,” explained Jeffrey Downey, a member of Dr. Swirski’s laboratory who served as lead author.

Influenza A Virus And The Heart

Global statistics show that influenza A viruses cause an estimated 1 billion infections each year. This ranges from seasonal flu outbreaks locally to pandemics globally.

While most infections are mild and self-resolving, in some cases, they can become severe or even fatal. When the virus travels to the heart, it triggers the death of cardiomyocytes -- specialized muscle cells that are responsible for the rhythmic contraction and relaxation of the heart.

Ramzan, the holiest month in Islam, marked by dawn-to-dusk fasting, poses health risks for people with diabetes. Health experts urge patients to consult their doctors before observing the fast.

Ramzan is a period of intense spiritual reflection, self-discipline, and devotion for Muslims worldwide. During the month-long fasting period, the believers refrain from eating and even drinking (including water), from dawn to sunset.

The faithful eat a modest meal (sehri) before the first light of dawn to provide energy for the day. The fast is broken at sunset, traditionally starting with dates and water, followed by a larger meal (iftar).

According to health experts, for individuals whose diabetes is well controlled, fasting may be possible with proper adjustments.

"Diabetes requires regular monitoring, balanced meals, and timely medication. When eating patterns change during Ramzan, blood glucose levels can fluctuate. That is why I strongly recommend consulting your doctor before you plan to fast,” Dr. Saptarshi Bhattacharya, Senior Consultant, Endocrinology, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, told HealthandMe.

The expert advised people not to skip sehri, and to include complex carbohydrates such as whole grains, along with protein like eggs, dal, or curd, and plenty of fluids to help maintain stable glucose levels throughout the day.

At iftar, avoid overeating. Start with light, balanced food and limit fried items, sweets, and sugary drinks, as these can cause a sudden spike in blood glucose, Dr. Bhattacharya said.

Type 2 Diabetes patients with good glycemic control, lifestyle management, or stable oral medications can fast safely.

However, those on multiple insulin doses, with complications, or with poor control are considered moderate to high risk, Dr. Kartik Thakkar, Consultant Medicine, Ruby Hall Clinic, told HealthandMe.

The health expert also noted that most Type 1 diabetes patients are considered high risk, especially those with brittle diabetes, frequent hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), or a history of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Many are medically advised not to fast, particularly if glucose control is unstable.

Children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes are considered high risk and are usually advised against fasting due to the unpredictable nature of insulin requirements.

Who Should Avoid Fasting Altogether?

• People with a history of severe hypoglycemia in the last 3 months;
• Recurrent hypoglycemia;
• Advanced kidney disease;
• Elderly patients with frailty; and
• Pregnant women with diabetes

Dr. Thakkar said that such individuals fall into the very high-risk category and are medically exempt from fasting.

The expert also suggested clinical tests to determine whether a diabetic patient is fit to fast. These include:

• Glycemic control (HbA1c levels)
• Duration of diabetes (long-standing diabetes can increase complication risk)
• Presence of complications (neuropathy, nephropathy, cardiovascular disease)
• Kidney function and hydration status

What Warning Signs Should Prompt Breaking The Fast Immediately?

A diabetic patient must break the fast if:

• Blood glucose <70 mg/dL (3.9 mmol/L)
• Blood glucose >300 mg/dL (16.7 mmol/L)
• Severe dizziness or fainting
• Confusion or blurred vision
• Persistent vomiting
• Symptoms of dehydration (extreme thirst, very low urine output)
• Chest pain or breathlessness