Sickle Cell Trait
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Did you know?
Sickle cell disease occurs more often in people from parts of the world where malaria is or was common. It is believed that people who carry the sickle cell trait are less likely to be infected with malaria.
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People who inherit one sickle cell gene and one normal gene have the sickle cell “trait.”
People with sickle cell trait usually do not have any of the symptoms of the disease. But, it is possible for a person with sickle cell trait to have complications of the disease under extreme conditions, such as:
High altitude (flying, mountain climbing, visiting cities with a high altitude)
Increased pressure (scuba diving)
Low oxygen (mountain climbing or exercising extremely hard, such as in military boot camp or when training for an athletic competition)
Dehydration (too little water in the body)
In addition, people with sickle cell trait can potentially pass the disease on to their children.
It’s important to know whether or not you have sickle cell trait. Sickle cell trait is diagnosed with a simple blood test. People at high risk for having sickle cell trait are those whose ancestors come from Africa, South or Central America, the Caribbean, Mediterranean countries, India, and Saudi Arabia.
The Cost of Sickle Cell Disease
Sickle cell disease is a major health concern. People with sickle cell disease can have lifelong disabilities. The average life expectancy is 42 years for men and 48 years for women.1 In addition, the cost to people with the disease and the health care system is high. For example, hospital stays due to complications of sickle cell disease cost an estimated at $475 million during the period 1989–1993.2
A Public Health Approach
Right now, there are no data systems to find out how many people have sickle cell disease in the United States. CDC, in partnership with the National Institutes of Health (NIH), is working to develop a pilot surveillance system to help learn more about how many people have the disease and how it affects them.
In addition, CDC is helping to educate people a bout this disease. We have a website with information about the disease and tip sheets on how to stay healthy, how to prevent infections, and when to see the doctor. We are also developing new materials to help people better understand certain drug therapies and to raise awareness among students, teachers, and others in the community.
Help Spread the Word
Every September—during National Sickle Cell Awareness Month—community organizations, families, and others join together to spread the word about sickle cell disease.