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I am O+, CMV Neg.
CMV is a virus that somewhere between 50 and 80% of the adult population carries in their blood. If an adult gets CMV it can be silent or they may have flu like symptoms for a couple of days. If a baby or immunosuppressed patient gets it, they can die.
I give blood every 56 days. It takes 1 hour (from the moment I leave work to getting back to my desk), and is one of the most rewarding things I do. I give at UCLA's Blood & Platelet Center. I know my blood goes to babies who have transplants or are very sick at UCLA.
If you can give blood, please do. The US blood supply is far lower than it should be. If everyone who is eligible to give did so twice a year, we would not have critical blood shortages during the summers and holidays like we do now.
To answer the original question: I have known my blood type my whole life and come from a family of all O+ parents and siblings.
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ALPHA PHI
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