When it comes to COVID-19, blood type was not previously a measure associated with symptoms or mortality, however, as the world continues its quest to understand how the virus evolves and destroys, scientists have discovered a strong bond and if you have this blood type you may be at higher risk.
In a study with the New England Journal of Medicine, the association of the severe genome of COVID-19 with respiratory failure was investigated.
The study noted, “There is considerable variation in disease behavior among patients infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes coronavirus disease.
“Association analysis of the entire genome may allow the identification of possible genetic factors involved in the development of COVID-19.
“We conducted a complete genome-wide association study involving 1980 patients with COVID-19 and severe disease in seven hospitals in the Italian and Spanish epicenters of the pandemic in Europe.”
The study determined that an association signal matched the ABO blood group in the blood group specific analysis and showed a higher risk in blood group A than in other blood groups.
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In another MedRxiv study, the relationship between ABO blood group and susceptibility to COVID-19.
The study said: “The new coronavirus disease has spread rapidly throughout the world and has been declared a pandemic by the WHO.”
“Here, we compared the distribution of the ABO blood group in 2,173 patients with COVID-19 confirmed by the SARS-CoV-2 test from three hospitals in Wuhan and Shenzhen, China, with that of normal people in the corresponding regions.
“The results showed that blood group A was associated with a higher risk of acquiring COVID-19 compared to non-A blood groups, while blood group O was associated with a lower risk of infection compared to non-blood groups. OR”.
Dr. Mary Cushman, a hematologist and professor at the University of Vermont Larner School of Medicine, spoke to Healthline and said: “These results cannot be used to lessen the serious precautions everyone should take, regardless of their blood type.
“Someone on social media this weekend wondered if Type O people in families should be sent shopping, for example.
“We definitely don’t want people to think they can protect themselves and not have to take precautions because they are type O.”
Researchers remain puzzled about how and why blood types are so heavily involved in determining who is worse off from the virus.
The World Health Organization (WHO) declares that the most vulnerable to COVID-19 include the elderly and people with respiratory problems.
It is important to take the necessary precautions regardless of the type of blood group that is.
Common symptoms of the new virus include cough, shortness of breath, and fever.
