Sickle Cell Disease

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a serious, genetic (inherited) condition affecting the blood and various organs in the body. It affects the red blood cells, causing them to change shape, known as ‘sickling’ or ‘crisis’, producing episodes of pain and other symptoms. Both of the terms Sickling and Crisis will be used interchangeably throughout this module.

In between episodes of sickling, people with SCD are normally well, however long-term complications can occur. In the UK, about 12,500 people have SCD and it is now one of the most common inherited conditions in babies born in the UK.

Without treatment, people with SCD may die in childhood, however there are treatments available that mean that life expectancy has increased. Awareness of symptoms and early treatment are important to prevent serious or life threatening complications.

Even with modern treatment, SCD can still cause serious or life-threatening problems. Dangerous problems are severe infection, acute chest syndrome and sudden severe anaemia.

In this module, we will look at the causes of SCD, symptoms, treatment and hear from people living with SCD about their experiences: pain, anaemia; acute chest syndrome and infection.

This module should take approximately 20 – 30 minutes to complete