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Type A Blood Linked to Higher COVID-19 Risk
The data are pretty clear. But the question is why?
One of the things that has really bothered me about COVID-19 is the dramatic variability in presentation. From asymptomatic, to sniffles, to complete respiratory failure requiring ECMO and of course death. I’ve seen all of these first hand at this point. And sure, we know that there are risk factors for bad outcomes — older age, comorbidities. But ask any of us who have cared for these patients and we’ll tell you that there is clearly other stuff going on. I’ve seen a 35 year old man with no comorbidities fighting for his life on ECMO.
It seems logical that genetics may play a role here, but those studies are just in the early phases. Nevertheless some tantalizing clues are emerging — and some from really unlikely places.
OK a couple of months ago, my family did tests to figure out our blood type.
We did this for no scientific or medical reason, but because we were bored stuck at home, wanted some fun sciency stuff to do with the kids, and found some cheap kits on Amazon.
