Haemophilia

=Hemophilia: =

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Hemophilia is known as one of the most severe bleeding disorders. This genetic mutation is inherited, meaning that it is passed on from parents to children through genes. Hemophilia consists of slowing down the blood clotting process. Clotting is the procedure by which your blood changes from a liquid to a solid state. Hemophilia is a lifelong disease, but with the correct treatment and self-care people can maintain an active and productive lifestyle. =====
 * The chromosome related to this gene is the X chromosome: Males have one and females have two
 * In males, one altered gene in the cell can cause this
 * In females, the mutation would have to occur in both X chromosomes so Hemophilia can occur. Therefore, it is very rare that two chromosomes are mutated, so it is unlikely for females to have this disease
 * Carrier: A woman with one altered gene in each cell- they have the coagulation factors; enough for normal blood clotting
 * 10 percent of the females that are carriers have less than half the normal amount of coagulation factors, therefore, they are at risk for abnormal bleeding, particularly after an injury, surgery, or tooth extraction.



Three types of Hemophilia: Hemophilia A- Classic Hemophilia Hemophilia B- Christmas Hemophilia Acquired Hemophilia-
 * More common (1 in 4,000 to 1 in 5,000 males worldwide are born with this disorder)
 *  Gene mutated: F8
 * Most common type of this condition (Blood clotting deficiency disorders)
 * Less common (approximately 1 in 20,000 newborn males worldwide)
 * Gene mutated: F9
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 12pt;">This type of hemophilia occurs when your body creates other proteins called antibodies that affect coagulation factor 8 by disabling it.
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Causes of creation of antibodies:
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 12pt;">pregnancy, immune system disorders, cancer, or allergic reactions to certain drug



**<span style="color: #050505; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Limitations: **

 * <span style="background-color: #e36d6d; color: #050505; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Spontaneous bleeding
 * <span style="background-color: #e36d6d; color: #050505; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 12pt;">It can occur in internal parts of your body, muscles, joints, brain and internal organs, like the brain and it can cause harmful damages
 * <span style="background-color: #e36d6d; color: #050505; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Can involve surgery if there is abnormal bleeding
 * <span style="background-color: #e36d6d; color: #050505; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Hemophilia A-The gene that is mutated is the F8. This is very bad because it is the gene that creates proteins that clot the blood vessels (Coagulation factor VIII). This means that if there is any wound or injury coagulation factor VIII would help seal the blood vessels and prevent further blood loss.
 * <span style="background-color: #e36d6d; color: #050505; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Hemophilia B- The second gene that can be mutated is F9, which is responsible for Coagulation factor IX (another protein). This protein works along with the Coagulation factor 8 to seal blood vessels, clotting them and preventing further blood loss; therefore lacking these genes are the cause of a bleeding disorder.
 * <span style="background-color: #e36d6d; color: #050505; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 12pt;">The treatment for most cases is the transplant of blood clotting factors. This means that the patients will be getting blood donations, therefore, the probability of them getting any deathly virus/ disease is life threatening (even though, as time passes, new technology is being made and the risk of patients obtaining HIV, Hepaitits B and Hepatitis C is decreasing)
 * <span style="background-color: #e36d6d; color: #050505; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 12pt;">The third type of hemophilia, generally, has an unknown cause.

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">** Benefits: **

 * <span style="background-color: #f7c464; color: #800000; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Fathers can’t pass X linked properties to their sons
 * <span style="background-color: #f7c464; color: #800000; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 12pt;">It is very rare that women get this disease due to their TWO X chromosomes
 * <span style="background-color: #f7c464; color: #800000; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Comprehensive Hemophilia Treatment Centers consist of 141-federally funded treatment centers and programs across the USA.
 * <span style="background-color: #f7c464; color: #800000; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 12pt;">As time has passed, the life expectancy of Hemophiliac patients has increased vastly due to new and more advanced technology that allows them to get the coagulation factor level almost as normal as any human being without this mutation.
 * <span style="background-color: #f7c464; color: #800000; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 12pt;">For patients mostly with moderate or severe cases of Hemophilia, the preventative treatment is very useful. Doctors have developed medications that prevent hemophiliac patients from bleeding episodes or further complications such as joint or muscle damage.

<span style="background-color: #eb94c1; font-family: Georgia,serif;">** Social: **
<span style="background-color: #eb94c1; color: #1e3419; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Hemophilia and HIV/AIDS <span style="background-color: #eb94c1; color: #1e3419; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 12pt;">In the early 1980’s doctors began to notice that a great portion of Hemophiliac patients were victims of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Back in those days’ doctors didn’t know how this virus was created or induced in the human body, therefore, without further investigation, the National Hemophilia Foundation and the US government decided to tell the patients to continue taking clotting factors. This was one of the biggest mistakes in history, due to the fact that it was in the transplant of clotting factors that the virus was transmitted. This led to about 10,000 hemophiliacs-- nearly 70 – 90 percent-- contracting the HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C from infected blood products by the mid 80’s. Moreover, thousands of Hemophiliacs have filed law suits to the US governments and other blood companies, nevertheless, these demands were settled by giving the patients and their families’ $100,000 payouts. Now a day, in order to avoid these deathly viruses to spread, causing severe damage to the patients, the blood products are genetically engineered and heat treated.

<span style="background-color: #2fcaca; color: #0e0c0c; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Political:
<span style="background-color: #2fcaca; color: #0e0c0c; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Comprehensive Hemophilia Treatment Centers <span style="background-color: #2fcaca; color: #0e0c0c; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Investigators in the United States have been researching about the occurrence of Hemophilia in this country; they determined that 1 in 10,000 and 1 in 5,000 males are born with Hemophilia. This is why, in 1975 the Federal Government decided to establish the Comprehensive Hemophilia Treatment Centers. These centers have already been working for 30 years by now; they give patients with Hemophilia special treatment to facilitate their disease.
 * <span style="background-color: #2fcaca; color: #0e0c0c; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Comprehensive Hemophilia Treatment Centers consist of 141-federally funded treatment centers and programs across the USA. Some of their benefits include…
 * <span style="background-color: #2fcaca; color: #0e0c0c; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Comprehensive care: total care that covers physical, educational, financial, vocational and psychological factors.
 * <span style="background-color: #2fcaca; color: #0e0c0c; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Cost effective care in the long term
 * <span style="background-color: #2fcaca; color: #0e0c0c; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Has lowered the morbidity of patients
 * <span style="background-color: #2fcaca; color: #0e0c0c; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Helps people diagnosed with blood diseases become proactive and independent improving their quality life.