Recently I responded to a fellow substack writer, and another responder basically asked me a question about “O” blood. Bottom line is— if you went to school in public school system, didn’t take any biology courses in college and are not in the health realm… you are likely clueless about blood types. Thank you public schools.
So realize I am not a hematologist but being a cardiovascular surgeon for 49 years.. I have ordered my share of units of blood for elective surgery and also trauma surgery. There is “O” and “A” and “B” and “AB” blood AB is the rarest type. And then throw in the Rh antibodies and one is either positive or negative. Moms may know about that because if they are Rh negative and baby being born is positive, there can be a serious blood problem - thus we are blessed to have had “Rhogam” for several decades now.
O negative folks can give their blood to anybody. Therefore we are called a “universal donor”— I have given my share of units of blood over the years, but not recently simply due to age (smile) But in a pinch, I can and would.
Actually, males tend to have higher hemoglobin levels (menses in women explains some blood loss) but men tend to have “too much” Thus your doctor might suggest you give blood occasionally. It actually reduces risk of heart attacks.
But in terms of COVID. There seems to be a protective effect of being the “O” blood group. Doesn’t matter if you are Rh positive or negative. Just to get a chuckle, let’s simply call it “O privilege” — Not related to race, skin color, religion, sex, country of Origen, all those “important things” government is always talking about. We who have O blood tend to not get COVID as easy and not get as sick when we get it. Go figure. I am not a virologist or geneticist, but it simply - is.
For centuries we have known that trauma, disruption of blood vessels, leads to “bleeding out” or hypovolemic shock… tremendous drop in blood pressure, and eventual death. Transfusions began in the late 19th century, and became more common last century. But it is amazing how we are slow to recognize opportunities to use what we already know.
I was a resident in San Antonio, working at the emergency rooms of several military and civilian hospitals. When I was first an intern, the standard was — a car wreck would happen, a police scanner would say where it was.. and the funeral homes would send cars to the scene. The made their money on embalming the dead victims.. The injured victim would be carried by the “late” funeral car to the emergency room and kinda “dropped off” at the doorstep. Eventually some smart doctors (orthopedic surgeon if I am correct) established the first “ambulance” somewhat centered around the Air Force “Crackerbox” ambulance that raced to plane crashes. And then, the firemen who got first aid training started getting really good at resuscitating patients. and Eventually, thanks to pioneers like Dr Ken Mattox at Ben Taub in Houston, we had improved communication between first responder and ER doctor. Eventually even telemetry for EKG transmission!
But for hemorrhagic shock and blood transfusion, it has only been recently that ambulances carry fresh whole O negative blood on board to give bleeding victims (at the direction of the doc in the ER of course). Why did it take so long.??
In the military where the USA has rapidly attained and held air dominance, our slow moving assets (read that helicopters) could move around fairly freely (thank you USAF!) But now, all battlefield sandbox events are being played in the “near peer” environment. Yes, pick a country, but let’s say Russia.. they can gain air dominance as well. There may not be the opportunity for the injured Marine or soldier to hear the whomp whomp whomp of the incoming Huey “Dust Off” med evacuation chopper. Inbound to the injured, they are also carrying O negative fresh blood. Makes sense. Start the transfusion as soon as you get the blood.
But, with air dominance in questions, let’s think about step one… how to get emergency medical supplies, fresh blood even automatic external defibrillators where the helicopter cannot fly due to threats? Well.. here might be an answer… Let’s see, programmable, very hard to see if at all on radar. Nearly disposable at the scene. Not nearly as expensive as a Blackhawk or a Huey.. Check this out..
Emerging technology may use drones to deliver blood products for wounded troops on the front lines of combat. That capability may be critical in a "near-peer" conflict.
Thanks Doc, Those are great articles and gives me a different view rather than to think of the tens of thousands that have been dishonorably discharged because of refusal of the Jabs. And great soldiers whose only desire was to keep America safe.