For many people with alopecia areata, dietary changes and adding certain supplements can help manage and treat the condition. (2022). For adults who are immunocompromised, the CDC recommends: People with thalassemia were excluded from COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials, so its unclear if vaccines are as effective for people with thalassemia as the general population. Vitamin and mineral supplementation for -thalassemia during COVID-19 Home isolation in transfusion-dependent thalassemia patients with SARS CoV2 infection: Experience from a developing country. Researchers found inconsistent findings but did identify certain trends suggesting that blood type A might predispose one to increased susceptibility to infection with SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19), or that type O and Rh-negative blood groups might be protective. Key points about beta thalassemia in children. Affiliations 1 Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Universit Degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy. Noun P, Ibrahim A, Hodroj MH, Bou-Fakhredin R, Taher AT. Who's at Risk for Long COVID? Respiratory failure may occur just as with people who do not have thalassemia. We studied 255 positive COVID-19 participants unvaccinated against severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), consecutively . Researchers found no link between blood type and COVID-19 risk, adding that more research was needed on the topic. FAQs: Expert Answers Questions On Management Tips For Thalassemia There are very few medications that are contraindicated (should not be used) in people who may be exposed to SARS-CoV-2 or who have developed a COVID-19 infection. Many patients with haemoglobinopathies, including thalassaemia and sickle cell disease, are at increased risk of developing severe complications from the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Its more common in many of the same parts of the world as alpha-thalassemia. People with the most severe form of the disease may require regular blood transfusions. Management of Hemoglobin Disorders During the COVID-19 Pandemic (2022). Most states offer religious exemptions from school vaccine requirements, and some provide exemptions on philosophical grounds. An official website of the United States government. 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. Disclaimer. The information in this story is accurate as of press time. The present statement summarizes the key challenges concerning the management of haemoglobinopathies, with particular focus on patients with either transfusion-dependent or non-transfusion-dependent thalassaemia, identifies the gaps in knowledge and suggests measures and strategies to deal with the pandemic, based on available evidence and expert opinions. However, the results of studies have differed regarding how beta thalassemia affects outcomes. Laboratory diagnosis of thalassemia. Learn more about its symptoms and how it's diagnosed. Beta thalassemia. Published 2020 Sep 7. doi:10.23750/abm.v91i3.10063. Iron overload: Frequent transfusions due to thalassemia can cause a build up of iron in the blood, which can, in turn, lead to heart disease, liver disease, diabetes, adrenal insufficiency, and other issues.These conditions are linked to poorer COVID-19 outcomes. COVID-19: Beta-Thalassemia Subjects Immunised? - Preprints Although epidemiologic evidence concerning the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) infection in these patients is currently lacking, the COVID-19 pandemic represents a significant challenge for . Last medically reviewed on August 23, 2022. Should people with thalassemia receive the COVID-19 vaccine? Epub 2020 Apr 27. Indian Pediatr. Read on to learn more about why its important for people with beta thalassemia to get vaccinated and why beta thalassemia may increase the risk of severe COVID-19 illness. As a result, our understanding of the connection to blood type continues to evolve. eCollection 2023. The prevalence among those who were transfusion dependent was roughly the same as people without thalassemia. "People with type O blood may be more susceptible to norovirus," said infectious disease expert Amesh A. Adalja, MD, senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security. (Note: The overall mortality rate for COVID-19 is currently less than 1%.). Recessive means that you need two copies of the faulty gene to have the disease. Brancaleoni V, et al. You inherit two copies of this gene one from each parent. 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 condition is called anemia. Prevalence and severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in transfusion dependent and non-transfusion dependent -thalassemia patients and effects of associated comorbidities: an Iranian nationwide study. 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. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. A recent pre-print study has showed a heme attack on the 1-beta chain of hemoglobin by COVID19. The forgotten people with thalassemia in the time of COVID-19: South Asian perspective. Current recommendations for those in the United States is that iron chelation therapy be continued unless symptoms of COVID-19 develop. Newborn screening practices and alpha-thalassemia detection United States, 2016. This means red blood cells aren't made properly or they are destroyed. Quite a bit of research has been published about blood type and COVID-19 risk. When a population has people with pre-existing immunity, as the T cell studies may be indicating is the case, the herd immunity threshold based on an R 0 of 2.5 can be reduced from 60% of a population getting infected right down to 10%, depending on the quantity and distribution of pre-existing immunity among people, Gupta's group calculated. Current recommendations are that a person's usual regimen of transfusions should be continued during the pandemic. In thalassemia, the body is unable to make either alpha or beta chains in adequate amounts. A 2014 Chinese study found that 17.8% of people with beta-thalassemia trait also had genetic mutations that affected the alpha gene. These drugs can reduce inflammation in blood vessels (endothelial inflammation) during viral infections. Splenectomy: When a person has a spleen removed for thalassemia, they are more likely to develop a secondary bacterial infection . Alpha thalassemia. "Long COVID" is a term meaning symptoms that persist after the infection has cleared. Can Being Heterozygous for the Beta-Thalassemia Trait Affect Your Pregnancy? Immunity is your body's ability to protect you from getting sick when you are exposed to an infectious agent ("germ") such as a bacterium, virus, parasite or fungus. A few options include: Current recommendations are that for people who have been treated with Reblozyl, the medication should be continued even if a person develops COVID-19 (there is no evidence that it should be stopped). Clin Lab Med. There are two types of thalassemia, alpha and beta. fatalities for sickle cell anaemia carriers and for -thalassaemia carriers. However, the results have been inconsistent and so the connection between COVID-19 and different blood types still isn't clear. Its severity varies greatly between people. Learn more about COVID-19 vaccination for people with beta-thalassemia or beta-thalassemia trait. Learn more about beta-thalassemia trait and pregnancy. 2023 Mar 2;24(5):4809. doi: 10.3390/ijms24054809. hypoxic effect of anaemia in COVID-19 . (2021). At this time, scientists are just beginning to learn how a diagnosis of thalassemia may affect the risk of COVID-19, potential complications, and how the pandemic may affect treatment, but preliminary research has revealed some trends. This is the most important step in keeping you out of the hospital and alive. (2022). How Might Swollen Glands Be a Sign of COVID-19? ; 2 Department of Internal Medicine, UOC Medicina Generale, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy. The types are beta thalassemia major, intermedia, and minor. People with the intermedia or major forms of the disease have HBB mutations from both parents. Blood and Bone Marrow Genetic Disorders. Experts estimate 1.5% of the worlds population to be carriers. You likely wont have symptoms or may have mild symptoms. Thalassaemia is the name for a group of inherited conditions that affect a substance in the blood called haemoglobin. Sotiriou S, et al. There are three types of thalassemia, one is minor and the other two Alpha and Beta thalassemia are a major threat to health of a person. Coronavirus: People with thalassemia face "blood shortage", appeal for Newborn screening tests in the United States dont specifically check for thalassemia trait. When there isn't enough hemoglobin, the body's red blood cells don't function properly and they last shorter periods of time, so there are fewer healthy red blood cells traveling . The researchers found that people with beta thalassemia minor had: However, the researchers didnt find statistical significance for any of these parameters, so no definitive conclusions can be drawn from the study. Do people with thalassemia trait need treatment? Thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder that affects your body's ability to produce hemoglobin and healthy red blood cells. EHA and TIF on How COVID-19 Affects Thalassemia and SCD Patients Thalassemia - Diagnosis | NHLBI, NIH People with thalassemia minor or trait usually do not need blood transfusions because they either do not have anemia or have only a mild anemia. Harewood J, et al. These diseases usually occur only in people who have at least two abnormal . Beta thalassemia minor and SARS-CoV-2, prevalence, severity, morbidity and mortality: A systematic review study. 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. Thalassemia may cause you to experience anemia-like symptoms that range from mild to severe. If you have a family history of thalassemia, you may want to know whether you carry the trait. eCollection 2023. The CDC recommends mRNA vaccines for people who are moderately or severely immunocompromised. All rights reserved. Metabolism. Clipboard, Search History, and several other advanced features are temporarily unavailable. "As an individual, you have your blood typethere's nothing you can do about it.". Bender MA, et al. This causes less severe anemia. Blood type has been identified as a risk factor in many diseases, from cancer to venous and arterial thromboembolism. A comprehensive update of ICET-A Network on COVID-19 in thalassemias: what we know and where we stand. Its important for a doctor to order a blood test to confirm the cause of your symptoms to ensure you dont receive any unnecessary treatment. States with religious and philosophical exemptions from school immunization requirements. (2022). Eur J Haematol. The people with hidden immunity against Covid-19 - BBC Future This is the most severe form of this disorder. Everybody except for 1 of the 16 people in the study required regular blood transfusions. Experts say that, There are many different types of anemia. Looking at a small sample group early on in the pandemic, the overall mortality rate of those with thalassemia from a COVID-19 infection was 18.6%, compared with a mortality rate of 4.71% in the general population. These antigens help prompt a response from your body's immune system. A Practical Approach to the Management of Cancer Patients During the Novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic: An International Collaborative Group. While it's always helpful to know your blood type, most people won't necessarily need to know that information. At the current time, there is no evidence that the SARS-CoV-2 virus can be transmitted by blood transfusion, and if present at all, the risk is likely to be very low. (2022). Genetic correction of concurrent - and -thalassemia patient-derived pluripotent stem cells by the CRISPR-Cas9 technology. One study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) in April of 2021, reviewed nearly 108,000 COVID-19 cases. sharing sensitive information, make sure youre on a federal chenevex, France. This condition can cause abrupt changes in blood pressure or heart rate that may worsen a person's condition during a COVID-19 infection. (2022). 24. At the current time, this is primarily an academic theory. SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients with -thalassemia: The French experience. The one gene defect, beta thalassemia trait (minor), is asymptomatic and results in microcytosis and mild anemia. Abstract. The result will depend on the number of affected genes. It could be that antigens for people with type O blood block the spike protein in SARS-CoV-2, and keeps it from entering into your cells, said Dr. Russo. In this study, the most common side effects in people with thalassemia were: Researchers are still examining how COVID-19 affects people with beta thalassemia. People with thalassemia often experience similar COVID-19 complications as those without thalassemia, but they may be at greater risk for certain problems. For those who develop COVID-19, doctors should be aware of this increased risk of a secondary bacterial infection so that antibiotics can be started early with any signs, such as a fever. According to this systematic-review meta-analysis, beta-thalassemia carriers could be less affected by CO VID-19 than the general population and more susceptible to die from COVID-19 or one of its consequences. Eur J Haematol. In many cases, alpha thalassemia may also need blood transfusions to manage. We avoid using tertiary references. The forgotten people with thalassemia in the time of COVID-19: South Asian perspective. WHO COVID19 Dashboard. Experts Explain. These findings may be due to statistical randomness because of the small sample size. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. The Link Between Blood Type and COVID-19 Risk - Health Thalassemia is an autosomal recessive condition. 2021;16(1):114.doi:10.1186/s13023-021-01757-w. U.S. Food & Drug Administration. Autosomal means the affected genes arent on sex chromosomes. Still, the study authors wrote, "the impact of blood type on clinical outcomes remains unclear. A 2022 study found that people with beta-thalassemia trait were also at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19. Beta thalassemia is the most common blood disorder caused by a mutation in a single gene. Thalassemia Trait (Minor): How Does It Affect You? - Healthline ", Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. 2023 Healthline Media LLC. 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). The COVID-19 pandemic is putting a lot of burden on healthcare . You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. It is possible to have both alpha- and beta-thalassemia. 2020;95(8):E198-E199. Patients with beta-thalassaemia increase the risk of bacterial infections, particularly Burkholderia pseudomallei (Bp), the causative agent of melioidosis in Thailand. 2022 Oct;58(10):1760-1765. doi: 10.1111/jpc.16082. "At the end of the day, we're still not sure if blood type makes a difference," said Dr. Russo. 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 proposed measures and strategies may be useful as a blueprint for other disorders which require regular hospital visits, as well as for the timely adaptation of patient care during similar future pandemics. In some cases, the inherited mutation can cause the HBB gene to be absent. Possible symptoms include: Doctors sometimes mistake symptoms of thalassemia trait for iron deficiency. "We all recognize that we're not the same, but we have not been able, on a genetic basis, very often, to determine whether certain people with certain genes are more or less susceptible to get an infection if they're exposed to a germ," said William Schaffner, MD, an infectious disease specialist, and professor at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. Learn more about COVID-19 vaccination for people with beta-thalassemia or . Covid-19: Do many people have pre-existing immunity? | The BMJ Getting a COVID-19 vaccine can help people with beta thalassemia prevent severe disease and death. Med Hypotheses. The third group includes people with Thalassemia minor, who have mild anaemia only. EHA and TIF explore how COVID-19 is affecting thalassemia and SCD patients. You likely wont have any symptoms. . Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; coronavirus; haemoglobinopathies; pandemic; thalassaemia. While the latest research suggests that antibodies against Covid-19 could be lost in just three months, a new hope has appeared on the horizon: the enigmatic T cell. On one side of the equation, glucocorticoids can slow the clearance of the virus from the respiratory tract. Beta Thalassemia Trait (Minor) - Nicklaus Children's Hospital Severe thalassemia used to be fatal by early adulthood, but now people frequently live into their 60s or beyond. What are the symptoms of beta thalassemia? The Johnson & Johnsons Janssen can rarely cause arterial thrombosis, a blood clot in an artery, in people with thrombocytopenia 4 to 30 days after vaccination. 2021;27:e929207. People with severe forms of beta thalassemia may be at a higher risk of developing severe illness than people in the general population if theyre infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19. Most people with beta thalassemia major have symptoms within the first 2 years of life. The immune systems of more than 95% of people who recovered from COVID-19 had durable memories of the virus up to eight months after infection. 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]. See additional information. 2023 Feb 9;10:1056599. doi: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1056599. 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. Some of these include: Secondary infections (bacterial infections that develop in people with a viral infection such as COVID-19) may be more common in people with thalassemia, especially those who have had their spleen removed. That said, the shortage of the blood supply has proven challenging. may help support the immune system's ability to fight infections. The changing epidemiology of the ageing thalassaemia populations: a position statement of the Thalassaemia International Federation. PMC People who have had splenectomies have a greater risk of developing bacterial infections as well as sepsis. The first study, conducted by Danish researchers, analyzed data from more than 473,000 people tested for COVID-19 with data from a control group of more than 2.2m non-tested people. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd. Strategies to enhance information sharing, Strategies to enhance information sharing between healthcare professionals and patients and their families, Patient pathways during the pandemic: general pathway (left panel) and transfusiondependent patient pathway, A proposed algorithm for the diagnosis of COVID19 in patients with haemoglobinopathies [Colour, MeSH Certain medications have been approved to reduce the frequency of transfusions needed. PDF Potential factors linked to high COVID-19 death rates in British Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Vaccine safety and effectiveness for people with beta thalassemia. Globally, the prevalence of COVID-19 in people with beta-thalassemia specifically appears to be lower than the general population. Eating nutritious foods is important for everyone to maintain a healthy lifestyle - a diet, high in fruits and vegetables and low in fats is ideal for gaining the essential nutrients our bodies need. Verywell Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. Beta thalassemia minor or thalassemia trait. "We still do not understand all the factors at play," said Anupama Nehra, MD, an assistant professor at the Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and clinical director of hematology-oncology at Rutgers Cancer Institute at University Hospital. Needs T, et al. Thalassaemia International Federation . Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. People with beta thalassemia may be at a higher risk of developing severe disease or death, but studies are conflicting at this time. "All may acquire COVID-19 and all should take the recommended precautions to reduce the risk.". COVID-19 and thalassemia: Frequently asked questions. 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. Luspatercept improves hemoglobin levels and blood transfusion requirements in a study of patients with -thalassemia. "There is no real benefit for the individual person," said Torben Barington, DMSc, a clinical professor of immunology at the University of Southern Denmark and co-author of the early Danish study. Thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder that causes you not to make enough hemoglobin, a protein in your blood. 2020; 10.1002/ajh.25840 [Epub ahead of print]. As new research becomes available, well update this article. Try taking a few moments to list a few of the positive areas in your life. This means you have lower levels of hemoglobin, which could result in mild anemia. In particular, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin D, zinc, and selenium. Two recently published studies have found that people who recover from COVID-19 develop antibodies that may last almost a year. 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. Key areas covered include patients' risk level, adaptation of haemoglobinopathy care, safety of blood transfusions, blood supply challenges, and lifestyle and nutritional considerations. I declare no competing interests. Materials & Methods: Searches of PUBMED and EMBASE were conducted to identify the level and . 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. Blood tests can reveal the number of red blood cells and abnormalities in size, shape or color. Beta-Thalassemia Minor and SARS-CoV-2: Physiopathology, Prevalence, Severity, Morbidity, and Mortality. Summary document for interim clinical considerations for use of COVID-19 vaccines currently authorized or approved in the United States. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. Many times people with thalassemia are prescribed a supplemental B vitamin, known as folic acid, to help treat anemia. (2021). It protects the epithelial barriers from pathogens and modulates excessive immune responses in . Research suggests that people with thalassemia may be at a slightly increased risk of contracting COVID-19, especially those who are transfusion dependent which puts them at an increased risk of exposure to the virus.