A recent study from China concluded that people with type A blood may have a higher risk of contracting the new coronavirus than people with type O do.
Experts say the research is interesting, but more studies need to be done to verify the results.

The experts add that past research has shown some connection between blood type and illnesses such as the stomach flu, as well as the risk of stroke and cognitive impairment.

The report has some experts worried that people with type A blood might panic or worry and that people with type O blood might let their guard down or get too complacent.


“These results can’t be used to lessen the serious precautions that everyone needs to take, regardless of their blood type,” said Dr. Mary Cushman, MSc, a hematologist and professor at the Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont.
“Someone on social media this weekend wondered if the type O people in families should be the ones sent out for shopping, for instance,” Cushman told Healthline. “We definitely don’t want people thinking they can be protected and don’t have to take precautions because they are type O.”

What the study says
The recent study came out of Wuhan, China, where the first known cases of COVID-19 were discovered.

It’s published on a website, but hasn’t yet been reviewed by peers.
In the study, scientists looked at the blood types of 2,173 people who had been diagnosed with COVID-19 and compared that with the blood types of the general population in that region.

They found that in the normal population, type A was 31 percent, type B was 24 percent, type AB was 9 percent, and type O was 34 percent.

In those with the virus, type A was 38 percent, type B was 26 percent, type AB was 10 percent, and type O was 25 percent.

The researchers concluded that “blood group A had a significantly higher risk for COVID-19 compared with non-A blood groups. Whereas blood group O had a significantly lower risk for the infectious disease compared with non-A blood groups.” 


Sumber