Immunity is a complex process that involves a lot of moving parts. Thalassemia trait, aka thalassemia minor, usually doesnt cause health issues. One small study found that people with the thalassemia trait (carriers) were less likely to develop a COVID-19 infection or die from the disease. The third group includes people with Thalassemia minor, who have mild anaemia only. People with beta thalassemia may be immunosuppressed if they have impairment of spleen function or had their spleen removed. Symptoms can range from none at all to severe anemia that requires frequent blood transfusions. As an example, on March 17, 2020, the Red Cross announced that their blood reserves were reduced by around 80% in the United States due to canceled donations and reduced distribution. Learn more about its symptoms and how it's diagnosed. However, the results have been inconsistent and so the connection between COVID-19 and different blood types still isn't clear. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. Learn more about COVID-19 vaccination for people with beta-thalassemia or beta-thalassemia trait. Prevention measures are very important. To begin, think of something you've had time to do that you'd otherwise not have time for, or something you learned. 2020 John Wiley & Sons A/S. They also had a higher chance of developing severe symptoms but didnt have higher rates of ICU admission. The current evidence suggests that the benefits of COVID-19 vaccination outweigh the risk of side effects for most people with autoimmune disease, according to the Global Autoimmune Institute, which reviewed the available scientific literature. To inherit thalassemia, both your parents must pass down the affected gene to you. (2022). "All may acquire COVID-19 and all should take the recommended precautions to reduce the risk.". What are the symptoms of beta thalassemia? Korin Miller is a freelance writer specializing in general wellness, sexual health and relationships, shopping, and lifestyle trends, with work appearing in Womens Health, Self, Prevention, Forbes, Daily Beast, and more. Thus far, studies have been mixed as to whether thalassemia patients are more likely to experience serious outcomes of COVID-19 (such as hospitalization or death). In spite of those terrible limits, this systematic-review meta-analysis opens the way to the confirmation of a possible protection/immunity of beta-thalassemia carriers against COVID-19 concerning incidence and ICU admission markers [7,8]. (2014). Iron chelation therapy is also a vital treatment for people with transfusion-dependent thalassemia and should be continued until COVID-19 symptoms develop. If you become infected, it's important to talk to a doctor knowledgeable about thalassemia regarding any special precautions you should take or changes to your medical plan. Vaccines & immunizations: Use of COVID-19 vaccines in the U.S. (2022). If the inherited mutation affects only one gene, you are a silent carrier for alpha-thalassemia. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. Sotiriou S, et al. Its considered safer to wait to begin gene therapy or prepare for a stem-cell transplant for thalassemia in communities currently affected by COVID-19. Thalassemia is classified as alpha or beta depending on the part of hemoglobin your body isnt producing in adequate amounts. Current recommendations are that a person's usual regimen of transfusions should be continued during the pandemic. As a whole, experts recommend that peopleregardless of blood typekeep following CDC guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Its most common in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and the Mediterranean. Newborn screening practices for beta-thalassemia in the United States. In a large Iranian study, the prevalence of COVID-19 in people with non-transfusion dependent thalassemia (those with the disease not dependent on transfusions) was much higher than in the general population (45 vs. 22.3 infections per 10,000 people). Common COVID-19 treatments, including prone positioning (turning a patient on their stomach), non-invasive ventilation (oxygen delivered via a face mask), and intubation and mechanical ventilation (where a tube is inserted down the throat and a machine pumps air in and out of the lungs), may be needed depending on the severity. Keywords: It causes mild to severe respiratory illness with some flu-like symptoms. There are no extra safety precautions necessary for people with beta thalassemia who get vaccinated against COVID-19 when compared with people in the general population. Symptoms of moderate anemia may include: Beta thalassemia is caused by a genetic mutation inherited from one or both of your parents. Susceptibility of -Thalassemia heterozygotes to COVID-19. (Source: File Photo) For almost a week now, Delhi resident Komal Mehta has been making frantic calls for O-negative blood for her 16-year-old son, a thalassemia major, who requires a blood transfusion every 21 days.While his blood transfusion of two units was to take place on March 13, Mehta has not been able to . If your doctor suspects your child has thalassemia, he or she can confirm a diagnosis with blood tests. 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If you have one unaffected gene, it mostly overrides the faulty gene. You inherit two copies of each gene one from each parent so four in total. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Its more common in many of the same parts of the world as alpha-thalassemia. Munkongdee T, et al. Epub 2020 Apr 27. Some research suggests that people with beta thalassemia may be at an elevated risk of developing severe illness or death from COVID-19, but research is still mixed. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you're pregnant and heterozygous for beta-thalassemia, you may not need treatment, but there are still some things to consider for a healthy. Is the COVID-19 Vaccine Linked to Tinnitus? The results provide hope that people receiving SARS-CoV-2 vaccines will develop similar lasting immune memories after vaccination. Before Everybody except for 1 of the 16 people in the study required regular blood transfusions. -, Motta I, Migone De Amicis M, Pinto VM, et al. The ways that a healthcare provider diagnoses thalassemia depends on the type of thalassemia you have. -Thalassemia is the most prevalent single gene blood disorder, while the assessment of its susceptibility to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) warrants it a pressing biomedical priority. Blood transfusions are a mainstay of treatment for some people with thalassemia. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. 2020;91(3):e2020007. If both parents carry a trait for either alpha- or beta-thalassemia, their child could develop a severe form of the disease. All rights reserved. Your doctor can address any particular concerns you may have. Verywell Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. The need for frequent blood transfusions and complications of the disease that result in more clinic visits and hospitalizations could raise the odds that someone would come into contact with the virus. The results align with the results of other studies from countries around the world. COVID-19 vaccine is high priority for cardiac patients. 2023 Healthline Media LLC. 1,5% global population . It's recommended that antibiotics be started immediately if people develop a fever or other signs of an infection. Metabolism. April 21, 2020. Thalassemia is a genetic blood disorder caused by an inherited mutation in your HBB gene. Telehealth visits, which are appointments with a healthcare provider using electronic devices from your home, are considered the equivalent of an in-person visit in many ways and can provide excellent care in many situations. The most important thing you can do is make sure you are vaccinated and stay up to date on when boosters are needed. 2023 Dotdash Media, Inc. All rights reserved, Lynne Eldrige, MD, is a lung cancer physician, patient advocate, and award-winning author of "Avoiding Cancer One Day at a Time. These findings may be due to statistical randomness because of the small sample size. Theres no cure for Nijmegen breakage syndrome, but its complications can be treated. 2021.doi:10.1016/j.htct.2021.04.003, Dalamaga M, Karampela I, Mantzoros CS. A Practical Approach to the Management of Cancer Patients During the Novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic: An International Collaborative Group. People with certain medical conditions. Lansiaux E, et al. People with beta thalassemia minor might never know they have the disease. Lynne Eldrige, MD, is a lung cancer physician, patient advocate, and award-winning author of "Avoiding Cancer One Day at a Time.". This means red blood cells aren't made properly or they are destroyed. Knowledge of your blood type is usually important if you're undergoing a blood transfusion or organ transplantbut in those situations, your medical team will test your blood type beforehand. Blood tests can reveal the number of red blood cells and abnormalities in size, shape or color. If you're living with thalassemia, you may be at greater risk for serious outcomes of COVID-19. Its severity varies greatly between people. According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, thalassemia can affect your ability to become pregnant and increase your risk of complications if you do. Thalassemia: Understanding the Inherited Blood Disorder, What Hemoglobin Does and Why It Is Important, When Iron Deficiency Anemia Is Not What It Appears to Be, What to Know About Chronic Kidney Disease and COVID-19, What to Know About Sickle Cell Disease and COVID-19, Treatment of Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS), Iron Chelation Preparations and Side Effects, What to Know About Parkinsons Disease and COVID-19, Alpha Thalassemia Types, Diagnosis, and Treatment, What to Know About Organ Transplants and COVID-19, A comprehensive update of ICET-A Network on COVID-19 in thalassemias: what we know and where we stand, COVID-19. Drouin E, et al. They result in low hemoglobin production and destruction of red blood cells. At this point in time, there does not appear to be any relationship between blood type and COVID-19related severity of illness or mortality.". This site needs JavaScript to work properly. Orphanet J Rare Dis. Respiratory failure may occur just as with people who do not have thalassemia. ; 2 Department of Internal Medicine, UOC Medicina Generale, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy. Lets look at why and what you can do about it. Nutrition. COVID-19 in benign hematology: emerging challenges and special considerations for healthcare professionals. There has also been a shortage at other steps in the process, such as personnel available to perform collections, as well as process and deliver donated blood. Orphanet J Rare Dis. The changing epidemiology of the ageing thalassaemia populations: a position statement of the Thalassaemia International Federation. Vaccination can help prevent COVID-19 infection and prevent severe illness if you do. (2021). How do I know if I have thalassemia trait? However, as the situation surrounding COVID-19 continues to evolve, it's possible that some data have changed since publication. Splenectomy: When a person has a spleen removed for thalassemia, they are more likely to develop a secondary bacterial infection . Am J Hematol. Anemia can affect your weight, whether due to its impact on your appetite and activity levels or its underlying cause. What's the Link Between ARDS and COVID-19? Colorized scanning electron micrograph of a cell, isolated from a . Unauthorized use of these marks is strictly prohibited. For example, some of the common complications and coexisting conditions caused by thalassemia may also worsen COVID-19. Here, experts weigh in on what you really need to know. Beta-Thalassemia Minor and SARS-CoV-2: Physiopathology, Prevalence, Severity, Morbidity, and Mortality. Last medically reviewed on April 6, 2023. Ruangvutilert P, et al. This could be dangerous, as too much iron can cause serious health problems. An exception is for people who have already begun the conditioning process for a stem-cell transplant. You can also have both alpha- and beta-thalassemia. Li L, et al. (2020). COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; coronavirus; haemoglobinopathies; pandemic; thalassaemia.