Gene therapy is another method that can help replace defective genes in carriers to protect future generations but this is a highly expensive procedure that not everyone can afford. Hemophilia has a long history and it has been found in members of the royal family of England.
There are some important facts that we should know about hemophilia since they help in dispelling popular myths. Not all forms of hemophilia are caused by deficiency in Factor VIII. While 80% of hemophilic cases are like that, the rest are affected by hemophilia B. that is actually a deficiency in Factor IX.
It is also believed that patients with hemophilia have medical family history of the disease. But that is not entirely true. In almost 1/3 cases of hemophilia, there was no family history found. It is claimed that in these patients, the onset of disease is spontaneous. Some abrupt gene mutation can cause the disease in patients with no family history.
Some claim that this disease only affects males and females can never be hemophilic. This is not true because while the disease in commonly found in males,...
That happens usually when both parents have hemophilic genes which means mother is carrier and father is infected. In that case, the girl is almost 50% at risk of developing hemophilia. In some cases, women can found with hemophilia like condition as low levels of clotting factors cause abnormal bleeding for prolonged period.
Some feel that patients of this disease can bleed to death from a simple cut or wound. This is also partially true. This is because while blood clotting takes a longer in hemophiliacs, the rate at which blood flows out doesn't differ. In most cases, this bleeding can be stopped by ordinary methods such as applying pressure and using ice. These patients are at a greater risk of dying from internal bleeding and wounds that are invisible. Even if death is no an immediate threat, prolonged bleeding can cause pain and swelling in joints which can cause disability.
REFERENCE
Hemophilia" the Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition; 4/22/2004
New treatment for hemophilia. (Updates) FDA Consumer; 11/1/2003
