This Is What You Need To Know About World Thalassemia Day
This Is What You Need To Know About World Thalassemia Day: World Thalassemia day is celebrated across the globe to commemorate those who are fighting this battle everyday and the doctors and scientists who are working day and night to find a cure for this disease. More importantly, the significance of world Thalassemia day is that it provides a platform to raise awareness about this disease.
What is Thalassemia and Why is Thalassemia Day celebrated?
Although it is estimated that around 10,000 children are diagnosed with thalassemia every year, with the number slowly and steadily rising, a lot of people don’t have knowledge about this disease. World Thalassemia day provides an international platform to raise awareness and to educate people about this prevalent illness.
Here are a few important things to know about thalassemia.
- Thalassemia is an inherited disease. It means that it’s not a contagious disease, rather it is passed on within families. Genetic mutation or deletion of an integral gene fragment leads to this disease.
- For a child to suffer from Thalassemia, he/ she must inherit the defective genes from both the parents. However, if he/ she inherits the defective gene from only one of the parent, then he/ she will be a thalassemia carrier.
Types of Thalassemia
Thalassemia has been classified into two main types depending on the inheritance pattern.
Thalassemia Major
Thalassemia major is the most severe form of thalassemia which can be life-threatening. It occurs as a result of loss of both the genes that are responsible for making the beta-globin chain in our hemoglobin. The symptoms manifest before the second year of a child’s life and require regular blood transfusions.
Thalassemia Minor
Individuals suffering from thalassemia minor are also known as the carriers. They generally don’t have any symptoms and lead normal lives.
Importance of Thalassemia Day
The significance of world Thalassemia Day is to educate the masses that although it is an inherited disease with no way to prevent it, the picture is not as grim as it looks. People with thalassemia can lead a long and healthy life as long as they stay up-to-date with their treatment plan.
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