Some patients may be treated with drugs that might prevent pain crisis, such as hydroxyurea. Nonmedical pain management Self-hypnosis and relaxation exercises may help decrease the use of narcotic analgesics and also provide the child with a sense of control. Hydration Fluid intake should be increased during painful episodes. Caffeine-free soft drinks, juices, and bouillon are recommended. Infections will be treated with antibiotics.
Compliance is essential to prevent dangerous infection.
Penicillin can be stopped in most patients by five years of age. Routine immunizations should be administered in accordance with The New Jersey State Sanitary Code, Chapter 14. It is also recommended that Hepatitis B be given in infancy as a routine part of these childhood immunizations. Administration of 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine should be given at 2 years of age, and repeated every three to five years until 10 years of age in all children with sickle cell disease. This vaccine is given to children with sickle cell disease to help prevent infections caused by the pneumococcus.