MYTH: The hasty generalization that people with sickle cell disease are unable to have children.
FACT: This idea is demonstrably false; many warriors do have children. Although the condition may affect fertility in some, it’s not a universal experience. It’s important to dispel this myth and recognize that it’s possible for sickle cell patients to start a family.
MYTH: Here in Africa, the harmful belief that sickle cell patients are possessed by evil spirits.
FACT: This has led to much stigmatization, abuse, and ostracism. It was believed that these children were destined to die young and return to their fellow evil spirits. To this day, some people still believe that those with sickle cell are possessed. Dispelling this myth is crucial to combating stigma and discrimination.
MYTH: Sickle Cell Disease is a contagious blood-borne disease like HIV and Hepatitis B.
FACT: False. Sickle Cell Disease is genetic condition present at birth. It is inherited when an offspring receives the sickle cell trait from both biological parents. Therefore, a child can only have Sickle Cell Disease when both of his/her parents have the abnormal hemoglobin gene. A person cannot become “infected” by the blood of someone who has Sickle Cell Disease, or who carries the sickle cell trait. SCD is not contagious.
MYTH: All red blood cells have the same properties.
FACT: False. Sickle hemoglobin is not like normal hemoglobin. Most red blood cells are round in shape (like a disc) so they can flex through blood vessels of all sizes to deliver oxygen. However, in sickle hemoglobin, the red blood cells become hard and sticky and look like a C-shaped farm tool called a “sickle.” The sickle cells have difficulty transporting oxygen due to their sickle shape; they often get stuck and clog the blood flow in tiny vessels. This can cause pain and other serious problems. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2015)
MYTH: People with the Sickle Cell Disease are immune to malaria.
FACT: False. While scientists believe that Sickle Cell Disease is an evolutionary response to malaria, people with Sickle Cell Disease do not have the benefit of this evolutionary mutation. Many doctors have been known to tell patients with Sickle Cell Disease that they are immune to malaria and do not require anti-malarial protection. This is not true and puts patients at a greater risk. However, there is some evidence to suggest that people who carry the sickle cell trait, but did not inherit the gene from both parents, are less likely to have severe forms of malaria and may have higher childhood survival rates.