When Bisola got married, she was upset she could not enjoy the early joys of marriage because her husband was always falling sick. One day during one of their hot gossip, her friend, Chidinma whispered “Wait, your husband na sickler? Be careful o, make you no catch am.”
“Haba now, how will I catch it? When it is not COVID..."
Let’s clear this up once and for all.
Sickle Cell Is Not Contagious
It is not a virus or a bacteria. You cannot “catch” it through sex, saliva, sharing spoons or even living under the same roof for 40 years.
Sickle Cell is a genetic blood disorder. It is passed from parents to children not from husband to wife. It is inherited from both biological parents if they each pass on the sickle cell gene (called the “S” gene).
So, no matter how close you are to your husband or wife, even if you baff in the same bucket or drink from the same cup, you will not suddenly “catch” Sickle Cell.
But Why Do People Think This?
Because Sickle Cell can look like a mysterious illness. One minute, someone looks fine, the next they are in pain, weak or hospitalised. That makes people assume it is something you “get” like malaria, typhoid or even village people's juju. But it is not.
What Couples Should Be Worried About
If you and your partner want to have children, you need to know your genotypes. That is where real danger come in; not from catching it, but from passing it on.
For example:
If your husband has Sickle Cell (SS) and you are AS (a carrier), there is a 50% chance your child could be born with Sickle Cell.
If you are AA, you are not a carrier at all and your children will not inherit the disease.
Fall in Love, But Love Smart
You cannot catch Sickle Cell from your partner. But you can make informed choices that protect your future children. So let your WhatsApp aunties and besties rest. Go get the Hb-Genotype Electrophoresis Test.
#LoveandSickleCell #SickleCell #GenotypeMatters #KnowYourStatus #SickleCellAlert