Now that we are talking about sickle cell treatment, did you know that mosquitoes π¦ - causing malaria are behind SICKLE CELL DISEASE?
I will explain.
One day, mosquitoes woke up on the wrong side of the bed and said to Africans, βWe will finish you.β
π§΅
I will explain.
One day, mosquitoes woke up on the wrong side of the bed and said to Africans, βWe will finish you.β
π§΅
They began to grow in large numbers, biting us and causing Malaria π€’
Then, our bodies came up with a clever plan to stop it from killing us by developing an immune response.
The plan was to change our regular round cells into funny-shaped sickle cells. ππΎππΎ
Then, our bodies came up with a clever plan to stop it from killing us by developing an immune response.
The plan was to change our regular round cells into funny-shaped sickle cells. ππΎππΎ
It helped people, whose cells changed, to survive malaria than the rest, whose cells didnβt.
This is why those annoying people with AA genotype are often fighting malaria. Their cells didnβt change!!
FYI, Nigeria is the world headquarters of Malaria infection.
This is why those annoying people with AA genotype are often fighting malaria. Their cells didnβt change!!
FYI, Nigeria is the world headquarters of Malaria infection.
So in places like Nigeria where mosquitoes are our family members, the gene mutation for sickle cell spread.
Which means many Nigerians were fighting back through this defense mechanism.
Naija no dey carry last π³π¬ πͺπΏ
Excellent response, but only a while π
Which means many Nigerians were fighting back through this defense mechanism.
Naija no dey carry last π³π¬ πͺπΏ
Excellent response, but only a while π
This defense had loopholes because it has changed our cells!!
This new sickle cell shape created, made it difficult for malaria parasite to survive, yes.
But the shape makes it hard for blood to flow easily through the body, causing pain or βcrisesβ.
This new sickle cell shape created, made it difficult for malaria parasite to survive, yes.
But the shape makes it hard for blood to flow easily through the body, causing pain or βcrisesβ.
This leads to organ damage, stroke, anemia, infections and other symptoms you see with people with sickle cell disease.
So the defense against these mosquitoes π¦-causing malaria became a Trojan horse of some sorts.
E dey do us, e dey save us.
So the defense against these mosquitoes π¦-causing malaria became a Trojan horse of some sorts.
E dey do us, e dey save us.
Over time, it became a genetic trait.
A familiar chart you may have seen.
1. AS+AS parents = Kids (25% - SS, 50% - AS, 25% - AA)
2. AS+AA parents = Kids (50% - AS, 50% - AA)
3. SS + SS parents = Kids (100% - SS)
4. SS + SC parents = Kids (50% - SC, 50% - SS)
A familiar chart you may have seen.
1. AS+AS parents = Kids (25% - SS, 50% - AS, 25% - AA)
2. AS+AA parents = Kids (50% - AS, 50% - AA)
3. SS + SS parents = Kids (100% - SS)
4. SS + SC parents = Kids (50% - SC, 50% - SS)
Currently, 25% of Nigerians are AS, meaning they carry one copy of the sickle cell gene.
There are other variants of sickle cell disease: HbSE, HbSO, HbSCBT, HbAS etc.
Couples, especially in malaria endemic countries, are advised to undergo genetic screening before marriage.
There are other variants of sickle cell disease: HbSE, HbSO, HbSCBT, HbAS etc.
Couples, especially in malaria endemic countries, are advised to undergo genetic screening before marriage.
π Nigeria is the sickle cell capital of the world.
Half of all new annual cases of SC disorders come from Nigeria.
Half of all new annual cases of SC disorders come from Nigeria.
SCD - sickle cell disease is not a death sentence, but it is usually a life sentence.
It is estimated that 50% to 90% of babies born with sickle cell Anaemia in sub-saharan Africa die before they become 5 years old.
It is estimated that 50% to 90% of babies born with sickle cell Anaemia in sub-saharan Africa die before they become 5 years old.
In Nigeria, 150,000 babies are born per year with the disease.
Many children in families have died repeatedly, superstitiously or ignorantly referred to as βAbikuβ, βborn to dieβ, βOgbanjeβ, βwitchesβ etc.
Many children in families have died repeatedly, superstitiously or ignorantly referred to as βAbikuβ, βborn to dieβ, βOgbanjeβ, βwitchesβ etc.
Interestingly, the presence of sickle cell disease in some continents today is linked to slave trade.
It is estimated between 1492 and 1870, SCD was introduced in the American continent through the slave trade when sub-Saharan Africans were forced to emigrate as SLAVES.
It is estimated between 1492 and 1870, SCD was introduced in the American continent through the slave trade when sub-Saharan Africans were forced to emigrate as SLAVES.
So in regions with sub-Saharan African ancestry or where malaria is prevalent, you'll find many people with the sickle cell gene, e.g. Nigeria, yours truly.
As a Nigerian, please get screened and counseled for your future familyβs health.
As a Nigerian, please get screened and counseled for your future familyβs health.
Which is why it is important for us to monitor the new treatments for sickle cell disease, as it offers hope for 25% of Nigerians & children living with the disease.
These treatments are reportedly about 2 million dollars per person. Those mosquitoes did not come to play. π¦
These treatments are reportedly about 2 million dollars per person. Those mosquitoes did not come to play. π¦
Looking at the state of the economy and the purchasing power of our people, accessibility to these treatments in Nigeria & across Sub-Saharan Africa becomes a important conversation.
It's not just about hope; it's about making this hope accessible to those who need it the most.
It's not just about hope; it's about making this hope accessible to those who need it the most.
Nigerians must urge their government to prioritize funding for local research, investing in solutions, and ensure equitable access to these life-changing treatments for our communities.
It is important, now more than ever.
It is important, now more than ever.
So the next time you see a mosquito near you, you know what to do.
Note:
Some statements may appear too broad scientifically, and are open to correction. My primary aim is to offer a funny explanatory perspective. ππΎ
(All information obtained from various sources on the internet)
Some statements may appear too broad scientifically, and are open to correction. My primary aim is to offer a funny explanatory perspective. ππΎ
(All information obtained from various sources on the internet)
A very wrenching article that looks into the Nigerian perspective:
harpers.org
harpers.org
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