Aplastic Anemia
What are the treatments for the disease?
Aplastic anemia is life- threatening. Initial treatment often includes the following:
antibiotics to prevent infection
blood transfusions to replace red blood cells
isolation to keep the person from contacting an infection
reduced activity to help prevent weakness
Other treatments may be ordered, depending on the cause of the aplastic anemia. These treatments include the following:
antithymocyte globulin, or ATG, and antilymphocyte globulin, or ALT, which reduce the body's ability to attack its own cells
colony-stimulating factors, or CSFs, which stimulate the production of some blood cells
cyclosporine combined with androgens, which may stimulate the production of blood cells
interleukin-3, or IL-3, which stimulates blood cell production
matched stem cell transfusions, which replace damaged stem cells
Bone marrow transplant is an effective treatment for some people with aplastic anemia. More than half of the good candidates for bone marrow transplant are cured. People are good candidates if they meet the following criteria.
They are younger than 40 years of age.
They had good health prior to the transplant.
They have a matched donor, such as a family member.
What are the side effects of the treatments?
Medications used to treat aplastic anemia may increase the person's risk for infection. Some may cause allergic reactions. A bone marrow transplant may cause bleeding, infection, or allergic reaction to anesthesia.
What happens after treatment for the disease?
Until blood cell counts return to normal, someone who has aplastic anemia is at risk for infection, bleeding, and other complications. It's important to avoid risk factors, including:
activities that cause a rapid heartbeat, chest pain, or shortness of breath
activities that have a high risk of injury, such as football and skiing
excess exercise
exposure to contagious diseases
high altitudes
unnecessary dental work or surgery
How is the disease monitored?
The person with aplastic anemia will have regular visits with the healthcare provider. Repeated blood tests may be ordered to test for the number of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Any new or worsening symptoms should be reported to the provider.
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