Both the person with haemophilia and everyone involved in their daily lives must know what this particular bleeding disorder is. Everyone will be asked to contribute in some way to the prevention or treatment of bleeds.

The parent has a central role in educating the child and their social environment. The people in the close environment of the child (grandparents, teachers), who are involved in their mental and personality development, must be properly trained to protect the child from injuries, but mainly to know when and how to provide First Aid if needed.

The child themselves must first understand the "peculiarity of their health", without feelings of shame, guilt or anger. They must learn to communicate their symptoms in order to receive the relevant treatment on time. They should learn to perceive the treatment process as a positive experience that helps make their blood "stronger".

There is a person with haemophilia in my environment. What do I do?

Do not be afraid. If you are a witness to an injury, remember that people with haemophilia do not bleed more, but for longer. The bleeding will eventually stop.

You have no risk of catching to haemophilia. Haemophilia is not contagious.

A person with haemophilia will not bleed from a minor scratch.

You may need to offer them First Aid. Find out how to do that.

Respect their privacy.

Do not avoid contact with them.

References:

1.Hemophilia in pictures Educator’s Guide. WFH 2008.
Available at: http://www1.wfh.org/publications/files/pdf-1318.pdf.
2. 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

Child and haemophilia

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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