Sickle Cell Disease Symptoms

Sickle cell disease is an

inherited

inherited

(in-HAYR-ih-ted):

The passing of genetic information from a parent to a child through genes.

disease, which means you are born with it. However, most babies do not have problems from the disease before they are about 5 or 6 months old.

Symptoms of sickle cell disease vary from person to person and can change over time. How the disease affects your body affects the type of symptoms you have.

People who inherit only one copy of the sickle cell gene have sickle cell trait. They usually don't have symptoms of sickle cell disease. As carriers, they can pass the faulty gene on to their children.

A person's

hemoglobin

hemoglobin

(HEE-moh-GLOH-bin):

A protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body.

genes

gene

(jeen):

The unit that passes heredity from parents to children. Genes are pieces of DNA and contain information for making a specific protein.

also affect their symptoms. Some people have only one copy of the sickle cell gene, but they also inherited another gene for a faulty hemoglobin, such as the gene for thalassemia. They may have serious symptoms of sickle cell disease even though they only have one copy of the sickle cell gene.

FACT SHEET

Sickle Cell Disease Fact Sheet

Learn basics about sickle cell disease, including symptoms, how to prevent health problems and treatment options.

Download the fact sheet

Early symptoms

• A yellowish color of the skin (

jaundice

jaundice

(JAWN-dis):

A condition in which there is too much bilirubin in the body. It causes the skin and the whites of the eyes to become yellow and the urine to darken. Jaundice may occur when the liver is not working properly or when a bile duct is blocked.

) or whites of the eyes (icterus) that occurs when many red cells undergo

hemolysis

hemolysis

(hee-MAH-lih-sis):

The breakdown of red blood cells. Red blood cells normally live for up to 120 days. After that, they naturally break down and are most often removed from the blood by the spleen.

• Extreme tiredness or fussiness from anemia, which occurs when your body does not get enough oxygen because of a shortage of healthy red blood cells
• Painful swelling of the hands and feet, known as

dactylitis

dactylitis

(DAK-tuh-LY-tis):

Painful swelling of hands and feet that occurs mostly in children with sickle cell disease. This condition occurs when blood flow is blocked in the small bones.

Know when to seek emergency medical care

Serious symptoms of sickle cell disease are emergencies and need treatment right away. Seek care or call 9-1-1 if you or someone else is experiencing:

• Severe pain. A serious pain event is sometimes called a “pain crisis,” “sickle cell crisis,” or “vaso-occlusive crisis.” Most people with sickle cell disease have this often-serious pain. It may occur in children as young as 1 year old. Serious pain linked with sickle cell disease often requires treatment in a clinic or hospital.

Fatigue

Fatigue

(fuh-TEEG):

A condition following a period of mental or physical activity that is marked by extreme tiredness or weariness and inability to function due to lack of energy. Fatigue may be acute or chronic.

(extreme tiredness), shortness of breath, dizziness, and irregular heartbeat. These are symptoms of serious anemia. Life-threatening anemia can be caused** **by conditions such as a

splenic sequestration crisis

splenic sequestration crisis

(SPLEN-ik see-KWES-tray-shun):

A condition that happens when red blood cells are trapped in the spleen. This causes the spleen to enlarge and reduces the number of red blood cells circulating in the body. Splenic sequestration can lead to severe anemia.

crisis or an

aplastic crisis

aplastic crisis

(ay-PLAS-tik KRY-sis):

Occurs when bone marrow stops making new red blood cells. It is caused by certain viral infections in people with hemolytic anemias, such as sickle cell disease or thalassemia.

.

• Fever. If you have a fever of more than 101.3 degrees Fahrenheit, or 38.5 degrees Celsius, seek attention from a healthcare provider and treatment with antibiotics right away. Some people need to be hospitalized for care.
• Chest pain, coughing, fever, and shortness of breath. These symptoms may be suggestive of acute chest syndrome requiring treatment in a hospital, where you may receive antibiotics, oxygen therapy, and/or a blood transfusion.
• Sudden weakness, numbness on one side of the body, confusion, or trouble speaking, seeing, or walking. Call 9-1-1 if you’re showing any of these warning signs of a stroke.
• Priapism. Having an erection that lasts for 4 hours or more is an emergency. You will need to go to the hospital and see a hematologist (a doctor who specializes in blood conditions and diseases) and a urologist (a doctor who specializes in treating conditions of the reproductive and urinary systems). Priapism can lead to erectile dysfunction, so it is important to get treatment as soon as possible.

Learn more about these and other complications of sickle cell disease.

FACT SHEET

Tips to Manage Your Pain From Sickle Cell Disease

Learn about pain management and how you can prevent serious problems associated with sickle cell disease.

View fact sheet

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Causes and Risk Factors

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Diagnosis

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