Hemophilia FAQs

If you or your child has any signs or symptoms of hemophilia A or hemophilia B, see a health care provider immediately

Your health care provider will perform a physical examination, take a family history, and, if hemophilia is suspected, send you to see a specialist who can order blood tests to confirm a diagnosis. These tests measure how long the blood takes to clot and whether clotting factors in the blood are low or absent

Plasma-derived clotting factor products are produced using donated human blood. To make these products, the plasma is processed to separate the desired clotting factors.

Recombinant clotting factor products are produced using recombinant DNA technology, a technique used to create clotting factor proteins in a laboratory instead of from human materials

In the case of hemophilia, the genes that code for the production of factor VIII and factor IX are isolated and transferred to host cells

The host cells then produce large amounts of the desired clotting factor, which is put through multiple purification steps before being packaged for use

Physical therapy and exercise, proper nutrition, and preventative care are a few basic approaches to maintaining good health. Talk to your health care provider about healthy lifestyle choices

• Physical therapy and exercise can help improve and/or maintain muscle strength and flexibility. It is especially important that muscles surrounding joints receive appropriate physical therapy and exercise as part of the recovery from joint bleeding. Developing strong muscles can help protect and cushion the joints, which may result in fewer bleeds into the joint
• The right nutrition and stress management are important parts of a healthy lifestyle for patients with hemophilia and their families
• Strategies to prevent injury should also be followed. Special attention may be required with regard to sports and travel. Immunizations in young patients with hemophilia may require special management. A health care provider can provide you with special instructions

The same basic steps mentioned above also apply to children, except that a parent or other caregiver performs daily care activities. A child with hemophilia will need to be taught about his or her disease and its management. Gradually, your child may be able to take on some of the self-care needed to address his or her hemophilia.

Physical activity is encouraged for most children with hemophilia. However, not all activities may be appropriate for a child with hemophilia

Most children with hemophilia can participate in a host of activities, including swimming, bicycle riding (with a helmet), walking, and golf. Contact sports such as football, hockey, wrestling, and boxing are not recommended

Check the National Hemophilia Foundation's recommendations on activity risks, and always talk with a health care provider about safe, appropriate activities

Please visit www.PfizerHemophiliaSupport.com for more information on financial support resources that may be available to you.

With your health care provider. Only he or she knows what treatment is right for you.

Decisions about patient care must be made with a health care provider who can assess the special needs of each patient. Education and support groups for people living with hemophilia are available throughout the country, as are HTCs, which provide a range of comprehensive services to meet the physical, emotional, psychological, educational, financial, and vocational needs of patients and families within one treatment facility.