Sickle Cell Awareness Month: What is the sickle cell disease? Similarity between symptoms and risk of COVID-19

New Delhi, 4-Sep-2020

While the focus of the entire world has been on the COVID-19 pandemic that has claimed more than 8 lakh lives all around the world so far, and continues to spread without an effective vaccine or cure for the disease, other diseases that affect people may have taken a backseat. However, it is important to bring back our focus to these health issues as well, because not only are they serious as standalone problems, they can also increase the risk of the pandemic at hand. September is observed as Sickle Cell Awareness Month. While many people have heard the name, very few people know much about the disease. As we observe the awareness month amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, it is also important to understand if the disease can increase risk of contraction or complications due to the virus, since several health agencies have said that people with co-morbidities are at high risk.

What is sickle cell disease?
Sickle cell disease is a group of disorders that affect haemoglobin. Haemoglobin, for the unaware, is the molecule in the red blood cells which delivers oxygen to various parts and organs of the body. People who have this disease have a particular type of haemoglobin molecule, called the haemoglobin S. These molecules can distort the red blood cells into the shape of a crescent or a sickle, hence the name. Since it affects the RBCs and their ability to transport oxygen, the disease is also called Sickle cell anaemia.

Similarity between symptoms of Sickle cell disease and COVID-19
There can be an overlap in symptoms of COVID-19 and sickle cell disease. People with sickle cell disease can experience shortness of breath and fatigue, which are also listed as symptoms of COVID-19. Deprivation of blood for various organs can also lead to damage of the lungs, kidneys, brain, etc in sickle cell disease. While the cause of damage may be different in COVID-19, reports have suggested that the virus can cause considerable damage to these organs as well. Damage to the heart due to added pressure of pumping blood to various organs can cause heart failure in patients who suffer from sickle cell disease. Similarly, while the cause may be different, patients of COVID-19 have also experienced serious cardiovascular problems, some even fatal. While there is an overlap of these symptoms, the two diseases are also very different in certain respects. For instance, sickle cell disease is a genetic disorder, while COVID-19 is a viral infection. Sickle cell disease is non-communicable, while COVID-19 is highly contagious.

Can sickle cell disease increase risk of COVID-19?
The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, USA, has placed patients of sickle cell disease in the high-risk category for COVID-19 infections and complications due to the same. Since the novel coronavirus was found to attack blood vessels, it can cause serious complications in already compromised patients with sickle cell disease. According to sicklecellanaemia, people with the disease should follow all precautions to slow down the spread of COVID-19 and keep yourself safe. Washing hands regularly, practicing social distancing, staying at home, are some of the measures they must follow. People with the disease should also stock up their medicines for cases of emergency, and to avoid stepping out for them.