Blow away the myths about thalassaemia
Like every year, International Thalassaemia day was observed in Bangladesh on May 8. The theme of this year was "Reach every patient". Thalassaemia is an inherited disorders of the blood that is passed from parents to children through the genes.
When the name Thalassaemia (thalassa meaning sea, i.e. the Mediterranean sea, and anaemia meaning weak blood) was first described in the patients of Mediterranean countries, it was strongly believed that it occurred exclusively in these countries. But it was proved wrong as many people from other countries including Bangladesh was found struggling to cope thalassaemia and the battle still continues.
From then, there are many myths regarding thalassaemia and some of them are still prevailing.
Myth: Thalassaemia carriers are sick and anemic.
Fact: Usually when we ask a person that you may be a Thalassaemia carrier and get yourself tested, the straight forward reply is — I am fine, I am healthy; I am hail and hearty. He thinks Thalassaemia carriers are sick and anemic. Thalassaemia carriers are not at all sick; some may be anaemic and around one third Thalassaemia traits have haemoglobin (Hb) level above 13gm/dl which is quite normal.
Myth: Thalassaemia carrier couples will always have Thalassaemia Major children.
Fact: People think that Thalassaemia carrier couples will always have Thalassaemia Major children, which is not true. When both the partners are Thalassaemia carriers there is 25 percent chance of having a Thalassaemia Major child, 50 percent Thalassaemia carrier/Minor and 25 percent normal i.e. not even a carrier. And if only one or none of the couple is a carrier, none of the child will be a Thalassemia Major.
Myth: Thalassaemia is not preventable.
Fact: Thalassaemia is 100 percent preventable. Thalassaemia can be easily prevented by pre-marital/pre-conceptual or early pregnancy screening followed by marriage counselling and antenatal diagnosis if required.
Myth: There is no treatment for Thalassemia Major.
Fact: Thalassemia Majors can live normal life if they are given adequate transfusion and iron chelation therapy. General public can play a major role in helping the Thalassaemics to live a normal life by voluntary blood donation once or twice a year.
Myth: Thalassaemia cannot be cured.
Fact: Thalassemia can be cured by bone marrow transplantation but it requires HLA matched siblings. However, HLA matched donor is not always available and the procedure is very costly.
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