Question 1

are the symptoms of sickle cell carrier observatble?

Accepted Answer

Usually no: The sc carrier state is associated with normal hematological values and normal life span. Knowledge of carrier status is important for reproductive planning since carriers can have children with sickle cell disease. Although uncommon, persons who are carriers for sickle cell may develop specific rare symptoms that may be related to sickle cell trait.

Question 2

is it possible to get malaria if you are a sickle cell carrier?

Accepted Answer

Yes.: You can still get malaria.  It is harder for the infection to propagate.  The disease multiplies by infecting red blood cells.  These cells, in people with sickle cell trait, do not live very long with the infection.  This does not allow for the infection to increase.

Question 3

i just took a sickle cell screen and result was negative. does that mean i'm not a sickle cell carrier-aa genotype?

Accepted Answer

Means no Hgb S: This test is specifically looking for HGB s. It will detect sickle trait (hgb as) or sickle cell disease (hgb ss). If the test is negative it means there is no sickle hemoglobin present, but it does not mean aa. There are many abnormal hemoglobins that are not aa, but would also test negative on a sickle screen.

Question 4

is it still dangerous for a sickle cell carrier to have a general anasthetic during surgery?

Accepted Answer

It Shouldn't Be!: Patients with sickle cell trait (carriers) are at minimal risk of developing any clinical problems except under very severe environmental conditions. Strange things can always happen, but a good anesthesiologist should be able to get a patient with sickle cell trait through any operation safely.

Question 5

if i have sickle cell trait is it possible to now be sickle cell anemia?

Accepted Answer

Confusing question: SS disease requires the genes for sickle cell from both parents, while S trait has it from one. You cannot change the genetic makeup that you were born with. Someone with trait can have a kid with SS if the partner has trait or SS.

Question 6

could two people with sickle cell trait give their child sickle cell anemia?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Or one with trait and one with ss.

Question 7

if a child has sickle cell anemia, wouldn't both the parents need to have sickle cell trait?

Accepted Answer

Yes: In order to have sickle cell anemia, a child must have inherited 2 abnormal genes for hemoglobin (the part if the red blood cell that carries oxygen), one from each parent.  There are many genetic types of "sickle cell disease", but usually at least one true sickle gene is involved.

Question 8

do both parents have to have the sickle cell trait for the child to have sickle cell anemia?

Accepted Answer

Yes or Sickle cell: The sickle cell anemia is passed to a child from both parents who must have at least a single sickle gene to pass. Either parent must have trait or another hemaglobin varient that includes a sickle gene. (ss, sc, sa trait).

Question 9

what is the cause of sickle cell trait?

Accepted Answer

It is inherited: Hemoglobin (HGB) is a complicated chemical that is in the red blood cells and carries oxygen. We inherit one gene from each parent that makes one of the parts of HGB called beta chains. If we inherit a sickle beta chain gene from one parent and a normal beta chain gene from the other, we have sickle trait. If we inherit a sickle beta chain gene from both parents, we have sickle cell anemia.

Question 10

is there a cure for sickle cell trait?

Accepted Answer

No: And no cure is needed. With rare exceptions sickle trait has no impact on health and longevity.

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Doctor answers about:

Medicine for sickle cell carrier

A member asked:

Are the symptoms of sickle cell carrier observatble?

A member asked:

Is it possible to get malaria if you are a sickle cell carrier?

A member asked:

I just took a sickle cell screen and result was negative. does that mean i'm not a sickle cell carrier-aa genotype?

A member asked:

Is it still dangerous for a sickle cell carrier to have a general anasthetic during surgery?

A member asked:

If i have sickle cell trait is it possible to now be sickle cell anemia?

A member asked:

Could two people with sickle cell trait give their child sickle cell anemia?

A member asked:

If a child has sickle cell anemia, wouldn't both the parents need to have sickle cell trait?

A member asked:

Do both parents have to have the sickle cell trait for the child to have sickle cell anemia?

A member asked:

What is the cause of sickle cell trait?

A member asked:

Is there a cure for sickle cell trait?

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