What is haemophilia?

Haemophilia is an inherited and congenital bleeding disorder that affects almost only males. There are two types of haemophilia: haemophilia A which is caused by a deficiency of coagulation factor VIII, and haemophilia B which is caused by a deficiency of coagulation factor IX.

Whatever the type, the severity of haemophilia is determined by the level of clotting activity of factor VIII or factor IX in the blood. There are three levels of severity: mild, moderate, and severe. The type and level of severity of the disease defines to a large extent the treatment of a specific patient.

Haemophilia centres

Each person with haemophilia has a card with the address and the phone number of their Haemophilia Centre at the back. In case of emergency, please contact the Centre!

Find a Centre here.

Recommendations

A person with haemophilia (and the relatives) is usually well aware of the disease and the risk for bleeding. If the person requests specific medical management, this should not be questioned.
A person with haemophilia is registered and known by the haemophilia centre which is mentioned at the back of the card carried by the patient (address and phone number). In case of emergency, please contact the Centre!
Patients with haemophilia facing serious traumas need immediate haemophilia medical treatment prior to any additional medical examination.
Patients with haemophilia must never not take aspirin, or medication containing aspirin.
Intramuscular injections are not recommended, because they can cause serious muscular bleeding.
Even in the presence of a mild or moderate haemophilia caution should be taken in the case of an accident and/or dental or chirurgical operation.
A complete manual about haemophilia and emergency is available here.
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