A person with haemophilia can bleed without having an external wound and without seeing any blood flowing. This is the case of internal bleeding, i.e. bleeding into joints, muscles or internal organs.

It is good to remember that no fall or other injury needs to be preceded in order to cause an internal bleed. Bleeds without apparent cause (spontaneous bleeds) occur more frequently in people with severe haemophilia, precisely because they have very low levels or complete lack of coagulation factor.

Internal bleeding creates "traces" that we can easily learn to recognize. Both haemophiliacs themselves and members of their families or close members of their families should be aware of the signs of internal bleeding in order to be able to deal with it promptly and effectively.

References:

1. Srivastava A, Santagostino E, Dougall A, et al. WFH Guidelines
for the Management of Hemophilia, 3rd edition. Haemophilia. 2020: 26(Suppl 6): 1-158. https://doi.org/10.1111/hae.14046

Signs of internal bleeding

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#askhemilios

This information is intended to inform and update the public and may in no way serve as a substitute to consultation with a doctor or other professional health service.

M-SG-00000340-06-2021