RH factor and Blood

[blazinfury]

In order to not have an immune response, both the donor and recipient must be RH negative (assuming of course that the recipient can accept the donor's blood)? So if either the donor or recipient is RH+, an immune response will result, correct?

[CharonY]

Not quite. The rhesus refers to the presence of antigens. What you want to avoid are combinations where the antigen is present and the recipient possesses antibody directed against them (as this would elicit and immune response).

As such rh- blood can safely be received by everyone, as no antigens are present to which the immune system can respond to.

Also note that rh refers to a specific antigen (D) and there are more to consider, actually.

[blazinfury]

Cool. So if someone is Rh+, they possess the antigen but not the antibody; while someone who is Rh- posses the antibody but not the antigen. Thus, an Rh- cannot receive blood from an Rh+ b/c at the instant that the Rh+ antigens are detected, you will have an immune response-- ie agglutination.

[Izzy_Bee]

A person who has Rh- blood doesn't have Rh antibodies naturally in their blood plasma as someone with another blood group may have, but they can develop Rh- antibodies if they are given blood from a Rh+ person. The person with the Rh+ blood has to be able to trigger the production of Rh antibodies, when given to the Rh- person.

 

And, a person with Rh+ blood can revieve from Rh- with no problems at all.

 

Hope that some what...helps a bit.

[blazinfury]

Thank you so much for the clarification.

[Izzy_Bee]

Thank you so much for the clarification.

Any time what so ever