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Do all thalassemia patients need blood transfusion?
People with thalassemia minor or trait usually do not need blood transfusions because they either do not have anemia or have only a mild anemia. Many times people with thalassemia are prescribed a supplemental B vitamin, known as folic acid, to help treat anemia. Folic acid can help red blood cells develop.
Can thalassemia patients take Covid vaccine?
Doctors and researchers have looked at the evidence. They agree that unless you have a very serious allergy to any of the vaccine ingredients, you should strongly consider getting the COVID-19 vaccine because some people with thalassemia have a higher chance of experiencing severe symptoms from COVID-19.
Does thalassemia shorten life expectancy?
Persons with the thalassemia trait have a normal life expectancy. Persons with beta thalassemia major often die from cardiac complications of iron overload by 30 years of age.
Is thalassemia considered a disability?
A thalassemia major person who is dependent on blood transfusions for life is 100\% disabled as it is a progressing, genetic disorder. This is unlike a visually disabled person, who can be certified as 50\% visual disabled if one eye has an issue.
Can thalassemia patients donate blood?
It is a common practice worldwide to accept blood from thalassemic carrier donors who meet the minimum Hb level for blood donation [6]. However, the exception is not applied to Hb S carrier; neither apheresis nor whole blood donations are allowed.
How bad is thalassemia?
Thalassemia can cause anemia, leaving you fatigued. If you have mild thalassemia, you might not need treatment. But more severe forms might require regular blood transfusions.
Why do people with thalassemia need blood transfusions?
Some people with thalassemia – usually with thalassemia major – need regular blood transfusions because their body makes such low amounts of hemoglobin. People with thalassemia intermedia (not as severe as major, but not as mild as trait) may need blood transfusions sometimes, such as when they have an infection or an illness.
What is the prognosis of beta thalassemia?
Beta thalassemia major children cannot make normal hemoglobin level needed to produce healthy red blood cells,and so they need regular blood transfusions. Without regular blood transfusions support,about 85\% of children with β-thalassemia major will die by 5 years of age.
What does it mean to live a healthy lifestyle with thalassemia?
For people living with thalassemia, it is especially important to know that a healthy lifestyle means “managing the disorder”, as well as making healthy choices. Thalassemia is a treatable disorder that can be well-managed with blood transfusions and chelation therapy.
How often do I have to get blood transfusions?
You might have to get regular blood transfusions. A transfusion is a way to get donated blood or parts of blood that your body needs, like hemoglobin. How often you need transfusions can vary. Some people have one every few weeks. Your transfusion schedule may change as you get older. Blood transfusions are important for people with thalassemia.