An important event is celebrated on June 19 every year – World Sickle Cell Awareness Day.

What is sickle cell disease?

This is a hereditary change in the structure of hemoglobin, as a result of which it becomes pathological (hemoglobin S). If erythrocytes containing hemoglobin S are examined under a microscope, they will resemble a sickle in shape. These erythrocytes transport oxygen poorly, due to which the patient may complain of oxygen deficiency (hypoxia).

What is the danger of “hemoglobin S”?

The danger of the disease is the risk of hemorrhagic stroke and vulnerability to infections. Unfortunately, today sickle cell anemia is incurable, so patients must regularly visit a doctor and protect themselves from infectious diseases.

• It is interesting that patients with sickle cell anemia are resistant to malaria, because the causative agent of malaria feeds only on normal hemoglobin, not pathological.