If you are a carrier of sickle cells does it affect you like someone with sickle cell anemia?

Generally no: A "carrier" inherited the sickle trait from one parent. Sickle cell anemia (ssa), occurs in those who inherit the sickle cell gene from both parents. This is associated with a variety of serious symptoms. The problem with trait is that if your partner also has it you can pass on ssa to a child. Rarely being a carrier causes symptoms but generally much more mild than with ssa.

Altitude: Generally no. There are many cases of spleen problems noted in sickle cell carriers when they come to high altitude. This typically causes abdominal pain and a sudden loss of red blood cells (they get trapped in the spleen). Typically this can occur with dehydration at altitudes of 8000 feet or more.

No: The presents of a normal gene next to the sickle gene allows the DNA to manage creation of hemoglobin that functions normally under most circumstances.