Because excess iron can damage your heart, liver and other organs, you might need treatment to reduce iron levels if you undergo regular transfusions. Infection and excess iron buildup in the body are other risks. Risks include an immune response to the donor blood, which can make it hard to find future donors. This helps reduce symptoms and complications. This increases the number of red blood cells that are not affected by sickle cell anemia. In this procedure red blood cells are removed from a supply of donated blood, then given through a vein to a person with sickle cell anemia. Red blood cell transfusions are used to treat and prevent complications, such as stroke, in people with sickle cell disease. These include staying at home as much as possible and for those who are eligible, getting vaccinated.īlood transfusions.

Vaccines also are important for adults with sickle cell anemia.ĭuring global health threats, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, people with sickle cell anemia should take extra precautions. These include vaccines against pneumonia, meningitis, hepatitis B and a yearly flu shot. Your child's healthcare team should make sure that your child gets all the recommended childhood vaccinations. Vaccinations are even more important for children with sickle cell anemia because their infections can be severe. This medicine can help prevent infections, such as pneumonia, which can be life-threatening to children with sickle cell anemia.Īdults who have sickle cell anemia might need to take penicillin throughout their lives if they've had pneumonia or surgery to remove the spleen.Ĭhildhood vaccinations are important for preventing disease in all children. Children with sickle cell anemia might receive penicillin from about 2 months old to 5 years old, or longer.

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