DATE: Wednesday 19th June, 2024
THEME: “Hope Through Progress: Advancing Sickle Cell Care Globally.”
SLOGAN: Shine the Light on Sickle Cell
PLAN
10 MYTHS & FACTS
MYTH: SICKLE CELL DISEASE IS CONTAGIOUS
FACT: This is false. Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is genetic. People with SCD inherited abnormal haemoglobin genes from both of their parents.
MYTH: SICKLE CELL TRAIT IS A MILD FORM OF SCD WHICH PROGRESSES EVENTUALLY.
FACT: People with Sickle Cell Trait do not progress to SCD. They only have one abnormal haemoglobin gene which stays that way. They usually will not experience any of the symptoms experienced by people with SCD.
If a person with Sickle Cell Trait has a child with another person with Sickle Cell Trait, there is a 1 in 4 chance of giving birth to a child with Sickle Cell Disease. Screening is very important!!!
MYTH: PEOPLE WITH SICKLE CELL ARE LAZY
FACT: A lot of people with Sickle Cell Anaemia experience fatigue, pain and weakness as part of their symptoms. These may sometimes affect their ability to perform at their best. Sickle Cell Warriors need a supportive and stress-free environment which is devoid of discrimination and stigmatization so that they can perform their responsibilities whether at home, school or at work.
MYTH: CHILDREN BORN WITH SICKLE CELL DISEASE DO NOT LIVE LONG
FACT: People with Sickle Cell Anaemia can live long and productive lives when they get the necessary care and support from physicians, families and society. Early diagnosis is important. It helps prevent or manage complications which may eventually lead to mortality.
MYTH: PEOPLE WITH SICKLE CELL DISEASE PRETEND TO BE IN PAIN TO GET ACCESS TO DRUGS
FACT: Pain is a very common symptom in most people with Sickle Cell Disease and may range from mild pain to severe pain. Severe pain may not respond to mild pain killers and will require stronger pain killers such as opioids. The pain may become chronic in some leading to the body developing a tolerance to the drugs and hence, leading to the need for higher doses. Physicians usually work with people with the disease to manage the pain appropriately in order to avoid complications that come with opioid usage.
MYTH: SICKLE CELL DISEASE ONLY AFFECTS PEOPLE OF AFRICAN DECENT
FACT: Even though Sickle Cell Disease is prevalent in people of African decent, it can be found in other races as well. People from the Middle East, Asia, Mediterranean Areas are also commonly affected.
MYTH: PEOPLE WITH SICKLE CELL DISEASE CANNOT GET MALARIA
FACT: People with Sickle Cell Trait are not likely to have severe forms of Malaria. However, People with Sickle Cell Anaemia (with both haemoglobin genes being abnormal) have no protection against Malaria.
MYTH: SICKLE CELL DISEASE IS A CURSE
FACT: Unfortunately, this is the belief in some areas and this leads to stigmatization and isolation instead of getting them the necessary care and attention. Children born with Sickle Cell are not cursed or possessed by evil spirits. This myth can only be dispelled by raising awareness and education people is such communities about sickle cell.