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Sickle Cell Disease: Aplastic Crisis
Topic Overview
If a person with Reference sickle cell disease Opens New Window is infected with parvovirus, the virus that causes Reference fifth disease Opens New Window in children, an aplastic crisis may develop. Reference Bone marrow Opens New Window suddenly stops producing red blood cells, which results in sudden and severe Reference anemia Opens New Window. During this time, a person will often feel tired, have pale skin, and be short of breath.
Reference Blood transfusions might be done to treat an aplastic crisis. After a few days, the bone marrow usually recovers on its own. And red blood cell production returns to its usual rate.Reference 1
Most aplastic crises occur in children. This condition only occurs once in any person.
| By: | Reference Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: Reference October 1, 2012 |
| Medical Review: | Reference E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Reference Martin Steinberg, MD - Hematology |
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