Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia

1. Which immune cell is involved in Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia? T- cells are involved with Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA) 2. Which line of defense is AIHA involved in? The second line of defense is involved with AIHA. 3. How is AIHA diagnosed?

Absolute reticulocyte count, Direct or indirect Coombs’ test, Hemoglobin in the urine, Red blood cell count (RBC), hemoglobin, and hematocrit, Serum bilirubin levels, Serum free hemoglobin, Serum haptoglobin. 4. What body systems are affected by the disease and how? The circulatory system is affected because the red blood cells start to s=attack and destroy themselves. 5. How does the disease affect the patient’s lifestyle? Hemolytic anemia caused by a medication or infection is temporary, it goes away when the infection is treated. Hemolytic anemia can also be caused by an inherited illness is a lifelong condition. The impact on a person’s quality of life and life span can vary greatly. It depends on the specific inherited disorder and its severity. Some people don’t have any symptoms. Others have severe, persistent symptoms. 6. What are the physical symptoms of the disease?

Some physical symptoms of AIHA are ark urine, enlarged spleen, fatigue, jaundice (yellowness of skin), rapid heartbeat and shortness of breath. 7. How prevalent is AIHA in the population?

8. How is the life expectancy of someone with AIHA?
A person can live a normal long and happy life even with AIHA. 9. How can the disease be treated?
There are numerous types of hemolytic anemia, and treatment may differ depending on the type of hemolytic anemia. Prophylactic folic acid, Corticosteroids, and Intravenous immunoglobulin G (IVIG) has been used for patients with AIHA. 10. What are some organizations that can help a family cope with the disorder? American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association, Inc., AutoImmunity Community, Cold Agglutinin Disease E-Support, March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation.

11. Sources:

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000576.htm
http://www.drugs.com/health-guide/hemolytic-anemia.html
http://www.rarediseases.org/rare-disease-information/rare-diseases/byID/723/view