Key points about blood typing
- Identifies your blood type (A, B, AB, or O) and Rh factor (+ or –)
- Important for safe blood transfusions and pregnancy care
- Usually needed before surgery, donation, or medical emergencies
- Simple, fast blood test with little to no discomfort
- Results stay the same for life
Overview
Blood typing is a lab test that shows which blood group you belong to and whether your blood has the Rh factor. It’s an important part of safe medical care, especially if you need a blood transfusion or are pregnant.
Candidates for blood typing
You may need this test if you:
- Are donating or receiving blood
- Are pregnant or planning to be
- Need surgery or may receive a transplant
- Want to join a donor registry
- Are curious about your blood type
Preparation for blood typing
No special preparation is needed. You don’t need to fast or change your routine before the test.
Risks for blood typing
This is a very low-risk test. You might feel a small pinch or see slight bruising at the spot where blood was drawn, but it goes away quickly.
Recovery from blood typing
There’s no downtime after this test. You can go back to work, school, or your usual routine right away.