A simple blood test can be done to find out if someone has sickle cell trait (SCT). Testing is available at most hospitals or medical centers, from SCD community-based organizations, or at local health departments. A small sample of blood is taken from the finger (a “needle prick”) and evaluated in a laboratory.
Sickle Cell Disease
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a group of inherited disorders in which hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen, becomes hard and sticky and looks like a sickle. The symptoms of sickle cell disease include abdominal pain, bone pain, shortness of breath, delayed growth, fatigue, fever and chest pain. A bone marrow transplant may cure the disease; otherwise, treatment focuses on symptom management.
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If both parents have sickle cell trait (SCT), there is a 50 percent (or 1 in 2) chance that the child also will have SCT, because there's a 50 percent chance the child will inherit the sickle cell gene from one of the parents. Such children will not have symptoms of sickle cell disease (SCD), but they can pass SCT on to their children.
If both parents have SCT, there is a 25 percent (or 1 in 4) chance that the child will have SCD. There is the same 25 percent (or 1 in 4) chance that the child will not have SCD or SCT. If one parent has SCT, there is a 50 percent (or 1 in 2) chance that the child will have SCT and an equal 50 percent chance that the child will not have SCT.
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Sickle cell trait (SCT) affects 1 in 12 African Americans in the United States. SCT is most common among African Americans, but can be found among people whose ancestors come from sub-Saharan Africa; the Western Hemisphere (South America, the Caribbean, and Central America); Saudi Arabia; India; and Mediterranean countries such as Turkey, Greece, and Italy. Approximately 3 million people living in the United States have SCT and many are unaware of their status.
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Some people with sickle cell trait (SCT) have been shown to be more likely than those without SCT to experience heat stroke and muscle breakdown when doing intense exercise, such as competitive sports or military training under unfavorable temperatures (very high or low) or conditions. Studies have shown that the chance of this problem can be reduced by avoiding dehydration and getting too hot during training.
People with SCT who participate in competitive or team sports (i.e., student athletes) should be careful when doing training or conditioning activities. To prevent illness it is important to:
- Set your own pace and build your intensity slowly.
- Rest often in between repetitive sets and drills.
- Drink plenty of water before, during and after training and conditioning activities.
- Keep the body temperature cool when exercising in hot and humid temperatures by misting the body with water or going to an air conditioned area during breaks or rest periods.
- Immediately seek medical care when feeling ill.
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You could have sickle cell trait and not know it. No matter what their ethnic background, both men and women need to be screened for sickle cell trait. Screening is equally important for men and women because it's the combination of genes from both parents that determines whether a child will have the disease.
Testing is available at most hospitals or medical centers, from sickle cell disease community-based organizations, or at local health departments.
A small sample of blood is taken from the finger (a "needle prick") and tested in a lab.
If the results of the test show that a person has sickle cell trait, it is important that the person know what sickle cell trait is, how it can affect him or her, and if and how sickle cell disease runs in his or her family.
The best way to find out if you are at risk of having a child with sickle cell trait or sickle cell disease based on your family's history is to see a genetic counselor. These professionals have experience with genetic blood disorders. It is best to learn all you can before deciding to have children.
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People with sickle cell trait don't have sickle cell disease and don't usually show any signs of the disease. However—in rare cases—people with sickle cell trait might experience complications and, in extreme circumstances, sudden death. More research is needed to find out why some people with sickle cell trait have complications and others do not.
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People with sickle cell trait can play sports and do other intense activities (e.g., military training). However, they should take steps to help prevent problems, like drinking plenty of water and resting often. In their extreme form and in rare cases, the following conditions could be harmful for people with sickle cell trait:
- Increased pressure in the atmosphere (e.g., while scuba diving)
- Low oxygen levels in the air (e.g., when mountain climbing, exercising extremely hard in military boot camp or training for an athletic competition)
- Dehydration (e.g., too little water in the body)
- High altitudes (e.g., flying, mountain climbing or visiting a city at a high altitude)
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A person cannot "catch" sickle cell trait from another person, like a cold or the flu, nor can you get it from a blood transfusion. Sickle cell trait is inherited from a person's parents. People with sickle cell trait can pass the gene for sickle cell disease on to their children.
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Sickle cell trait is not a disease, but having it means that a person has inherited the sickle cell gene from one of his or her parents. A person who has inherited one sickle cell gene and one normal gene will be a trait "carrier" and can pass it on to his or her children.
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Jumo Health answeredSickle cell disease is passed down in families, through people's genes. Genes carry the instructions for making red blood cells (RBCs).