A baby gets one hemoglobin gene from each parent. Children who inherit the HbS gene from both parents will have sickle cell anemia. Children who inherit the HbS gene from only one parent will not have the disease, but will carry the sickle cell trait. Individuals with sickle cell trait generally have no symptoms, but they can pass the sickle hemoglobin gene on to their children. Fever is a normal response of the body to infection.
Fever can be the first the first symptom of a very serious infection.
The child should be checked with a thermometer and if the temperature is 101 degrees or more they should be taken immediately to a facility that gives emergency care. Pain caused by plugging of blood vessels by sickled blood cells. Pain is most often felt in the arms, legs, back, and abdomen. The pain may last only a few hours or as long as a week or two. The pain may be mild or so severe that pain medicine is needed.