Sickle Cell Trait vs. Sickle Cell Disease: Why Black People Need to Know the Difference

Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) and Sickle Cell Trait (SCT) are often confused. While they are related, they’re actually two different genetic conditions. And getting to the bottom of these differences is key to effective disease management.  For Black folks, increased understanding and awareness can make a world of difference. After all, Sickle Cell Disease and Sickle Cell Trait are especially problematic for people of African descent. With roughly 1 in 13 Black babies born with SCT, and roughly 1 in 365 Black babies born with SCD, these prevalences cannot be ignored.  Let’s cover the main features of SCD and SCT, where they differ and where they overlap. Symptoms Vary With the disease, sufferers will experience chronic symptoms. These are caused by sickle-shaped red blood cells that can clog up blood flow and break apart. This, in turn, can lead to severe pain and damage to tissues and organs. As a result, sufferers will experience both long-term and short-term symptoms.  The short-term symptoms of SCD are infections, stroke, and pain crises. The long-term effects are lack of red blood cells (anemia), fatigue, and skin tone change. With Sickle Cell Trait (SCT), it’s different. SCT is mostly asymptomatic, so people with the...