BLOOD is the fluid that flows throughout the body and is pivotal for the transportation of materials in and out of the body. Blood transfusion is the process in which blood is transferred intravenously or via vein. During this procedure, it is vital that the right type of blood is used as some of the groups are incompatible to each other.
Prior to the discovery of different blood types, patients bled to death due to[ihc-hide-content ihc_mb_type=”show” ihc_mb_who=”2,3,5″ ihc_mb_template=”1″ ] accidents, combat and during childbirth. At that time doctors would attempt blood transfusions upon patients and considered themselves to be lucky if the patients survived. This was because doctors were not aware that incompatible blood types from donors would clump together with the blood of the recipients and evidently lead to their death.
The discovery of human blood group systems was made by Karl Landsteiner, an Austrian-born American immunologist, physician and pathologist in 1901. He exhibited that humans possess distinct blood types called A, B, AB and O. Consequently, doctors were able to differentiate blood based on their distinct types and utilise that information to perform blood transfusions safely. This paved the way for multiple medical procedures such as organ transplant and surgery. Furthermore, forensic scientists were able to use information regarding blood types to identify individuals associated to crime and aid in identifying the paternity of children.
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