X
theAsianparent Logo
theAsianparent Logo
Product GuideSign in
  • Awards
    • Parents' Choice Awards 2023
  • Pregnancy
    • Due date calculator
    • I'm pregnant
    • Trying To Conceive
    • Labour
    • After birth
    • Baby loss
  • Parenting
    • Parent's Guide
    • Relationship & Sex
  • Child
    • Newborn
    • Baby
    • Toddler
    • Pre-Schooler
    • Kid
    • Pre-Teen & Teen
  • Feeding & Nutrition
    • Diseases-Injuries
    • Breastfeeding & Formula
    • Meal Planner
    • Health
    • Allergies & Conditions
    • Vaccinations
  • Education
    • Pre-School
    • Primary School
    • Secondary School
    • Primary School Directory
  • Lifestyle
    • Money
    • Travel & Leisure
    • Fashion
    • Home
    • Fitness
    • Contests & promotions
  • News
    • International
    • Health
    • Celebrity
    • Singapore
  • TAP Recommends
  • Shopping
  • Press Releases
  • Project Sidekicks
  • Community
  • Advertise With Us
  • Contact Us
  • Become A Contributor
  • VIP

COVID-19: Your Blood Type Could Determine the Risks of Developing Severe Symptoms Says Study

3 min read
COVID-19: Your Blood Type Could Determine the Risks of Developing Severe Symptoms Says Study

Is there a higher risk for individuals with a certain blood type? The new study explores this.

Blood type, among other genetic factors, could be indicators of why certain groups of people are more susceptible to contracting COVID-19 and developing severe symptoms.

This is according to a study published on 17 June by The New England Journal of Medicine where European researchers sought to shed light on the role genetics play in the disease, aside from factors such as age, and those with pre-existing medical conditions.

Relationship between Blood Type and COVID-19

More than 1,900 severely infected COVID-19 patients were compared with over 2,000 of those who were healthy or experienced mild to no symptoms in Spain, Italy, Denmark, Germany and other countries.

Results from the genetic analysis confirmed a potential link between variations of the ABO blood-group system. 

It also confirms a previous report from China that suggested a link between blood types and the way COVID-19 affects individuals—one which many discounted due to it being a “crude study.”

COVID-19: Your Blood Type Could Determine the Risks of Developing Severe Symptoms Says Study

Photo: iStock

Higher Risk in Blood Type A Than in Other Blood Groups

There are said to be 4 main blood types, A, B, AB and O.

Findings suggest that those with Blood type A are more vulnerable to risks of severe COVID-19 infections—facing a 45% higher risk—as compared to people with other blood types.

People of Blood type O, on the other hand, were said to face 35% lower risks. 

“A cluster of variants in genes” were said to be more commonly found in patients with severe COVID-19, influencing immune responses. 

Coronaviruses are able to leverage on ACE2—a cell-surface protein—associated with these genes, to enter and infect cells in the body.

Protective Effect in Blood Group O

According to the study, people with type O blood have the ability to recognise certain proteins as foreign—even those on virus surfaces—therefore making people with Blood type O less likely to contract coronavirus.

This is also in line with research conducted by genetic testing giant 23andMe where preliminary results from over 750,000 participants suggest type O blood being especially protective against Sars-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

Individuals with type O blood are between 9% and 18% less likely to have tested positive for coronavirus, as compared to those of other blood types.  

And this extends beyond just the coronavirus on the protective qualities individuals with Blood type O have, according to Hari.

“A genetic cousin of the coronavirus causing the current pandemic” was also evident during the SARS outbreak. He noted that those with Blood type O were “less likely to get the severe disease”. 

COVID-19: Your Blood Type Could Determine the Risks of Developing Severe Symptoms Says Study

Photo: iStock

Scientists Urge Caution

Still, the New England Journal of Medicine does not firmly prove the connection between blood type and how COVID-19 affects individuals.

More verification from patients are still required, and pooling in of resources from various groups.

The evidence of a role for blood type is “tentative … it isn’t enough of a signal to be sure,” said Dr Eric Topol, head of the Scripps Research Translational Institute in San Diego, to CBS News.

It, however, allows for scientists to further bank on research to help identify and protect more at-risk groups, as well as paving the way to speed up treatments and drug development. 

ALSO READ: 

Partner Stories
4 Good Toilet Hygiene Habits for Kids to Have Early in Life
4 Good Toilet Hygiene Habits for Kids to Have Early in Life
Flu in Singapore: Is Your Family Protected?
Flu in Singapore: Is Your Family Protected?
6 Top Ways to Prevent Diaper Rash
6 Top Ways to Prevent Diaper Rash
Experiencing Mood Swings, Irregular Periods and Weight Gain Among Other Things? Here’s What You Need to Know About Hormonal Imbalance
Experiencing Mood Swings, Irregular Periods and Weight Gain Among Other Things? Here’s What You Need to Know About Hormonal Imbalance

COVID-19: Low-cost Drug Dexamethasone Said To Reduce Death Risk in Critically Ill Coronavirus Patients

COVID-19 Can Invade Nearly Every Major Organ System In The Body According to Research

If I Get COVID-19, What Will I Need To Pay?

COVID-19: Your Blood Type Could Determine the Risks of Developing Severe Symptoms Says Study

Got a parenting concern? Read articles or ask away and get instant answers on our app. Download theAsianparent Community on iOS or Android now!

img
Written by

Jia Ling

  • Home
  • /
  • Health
  • /
  • COVID-19: Your Blood Type Could Determine the Risks of Developing Severe Symptoms Says Study
Share:
  • O Positive Blood Type And Pregnancy Problems: What You Should Know

    O Positive Blood Type And Pregnancy Problems: What You Should Know

  • What Does Your Blood Type Say About Your Health? Here's The Real Truth!

    What Does Your Blood Type Say About Your Health? Here's The Real Truth!

  • 'Family is Priceless': Malaysian Man in Singapore Rents 2 Buses So He and 60 Other Strangers Can Join Their Families for CNY

    'Family is Priceless': Malaysian Man in Singapore Rents 2 Buses So He and 60 Other Strangers Can Join Their Families for CNY

  • O Positive Blood Type And Pregnancy Problems: What You Should Know

    O Positive Blood Type And Pregnancy Problems: What You Should Know

  • What Does Your Blood Type Say About Your Health? Here's The Real Truth!

    What Does Your Blood Type Say About Your Health? Here's The Real Truth!

  • 'Family is Priceless': Malaysian Man in Singapore Rents 2 Buses So He and 60 Other Strangers Can Join Their Families for CNY

    'Family is Priceless': Malaysian Man in Singapore Rents 2 Buses So He and 60 Other Strangers Can Join Their Families for CNY

Get advice on your pregnancy and growing baby. Sign up for our newsletter
  • Pregnancy
    • Baby
    • Education
    • Events
    • Allergies & Conditions
  • Family Occasions
    • Breastfeeding & Formula
    • Child Safety
    • Health
    • Diseases-Injuries
  • Lifestyle
    • Home
    • Money
    • Feeding & Nutrition
    • Diet & Weightloss
  • Normal Delivery
    • Cesarean Delivery
    • Behaviour
    • Secondary School
    • Formula Feeding
  • Ages & Stages
    • Latching & Concerns
    • Festivals & Holidays
    • Education
    • Pre-teen & Teen
  • More
    • TAP Community
    • Advertise With Us
    • Contact Us
    • Become a Contributor


  • Singapore flag Singapore
  • Thailand flag Thailand
  • Indonesia flag Indonesia
  • Philippines flag Philippines
  • Malaysia flag Malaysia
  • Sri-Lanka flag Sri Lanka
  • India flag India
  • Vietnam flag Vietnam
  • Australia flag Australia
  • Japan flag Japan
  • Nigeria flag Nigeria
  • Kenya flag Kenya
© Copyright theAsianparent 2023. All rights reserved
About Us|Team|Privacy Policy|Terms of Use |Sitemap HTML
  • Tools
  • Articles
  • Feed
  • Poll

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

theAsianparent heart icon
We’d like to send you notifications for the latest news and updates on baby care and health.