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17 April - World Haemophilia Day

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17 April - World Haemophilia Day

Panthermedia

Blood donation

17 April marks World Haemophilia Day. This holiday was established by the World Federation of Haemophilia Patients and the date of 17 April is directly linked to the birth date of the founder of the Federation , Frank Schnabel. The aim of World Haemophilia Day is to raise awareness of the disease, to raise awareness of the needs of those struggling with it and to show support for them.

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Haemophilia is a hereditary disease, so it occurs from birth and lasts throughout the patient's life. It can be diagnosed by carrying out appropriate blood tests. It is a disease caused by a deficiency of congenital clotting factors. There are 3 main types of this disease. Haemophilia types A and B are mainly contracted by men, and women usually only transmit it to the next generation. Haemophilia type C affects both men and women. Congenital haemophilia can be detected while still pregnant - during prenatal testing, while acquired haemophilia develops mainly in people over 60 years of age.

Until recently, this disease was considered to be an illness that prevented normal functioning. However, thanks to rapid medical advances, people with this disorder no longer have to give up the pleasures of everyday life, provided appropriate treatment and safety precautions are followed.

What symptoms does haemophilia cause?

Among the most characteristic symptoms of haemophilia are:

  • An increased susceptibility to subcutaneous bleeding (bruising).
  • Occurrence of spontaneous bleeding.
  • Bleeding into the joints: knee, ankle, elbow.
  • Bleeding into the muscles.
  • Haematuria.
  • Haemorrhages from the mucous membranes of the mouth and nose.

Treatment of haemophilia

Thanks to the achievements of modern medicine, life for a patient with haemophilia is much easier than it was even a dozen years ago. The basis of treatment of this disease is intravenous administration of the missing clotting factor (VIII or IX). At present, other methods of administering clotting factor are not yet known.

Haemophilia in Poland

In Poland, more than 5 000 people suffer from haemophilia and related haemorrhagic diathesis (data from the Institute of Haematology and Transfusiology, March 2016). The situation of haemophilia patients is definitely better than it was a dozen years ago thanks to the National Programme for the Treatment of Haemophilia Patients and the prophylactic treatment programme for children under the age of 18. However, important issues of organisation and treatment still remain to be resolved. Thanks to the National Haemophilia Treatment Programme and the preventive treatment programme for children under 18 years of age, new patients in particular have the chance to avoid the consequences of poor haemophilia treatment. However, there is still a lack of adequate treatment organisation. It is essential to establish new centres for comprehensive treatment, to provide prophylaxis, and to ensure a well-functioning system for the supply of blood clotting factors.