Your child will always have a mild anemia or a slightly low blood count. This may cause occasional tiredness and weakness. These painful episodes occur most commonly in the back, stomach, arms, and legs. They can last for a few hours to as much as a week or more. Occasionally, the pain is accompanied by swelling.
Painful episodes can vary in severity of the pain and the duration.
There are medicines to help ease the pain and make your child more comfortable. Your child has an increased risk of getting infections, especially pneumonia. Sickle Beta Plus Thalassemia have a slightly enlarged spleen, but this usually does not cause any problems. Thalassemia has the likelihood of a normal life-style and life span. Your child will also need to be seen each year by a hematologist or blood specialist.