What should you know about infection in sickle cell disease?

Sickle Cell Disease changes red blood cells and can affect the spleen’s ability to help fight certain bacteria. Infection may cause fever, chills, cough, breathing difficulty, vomiting, diarrhoea, unusual tiredness, or a change in pain. Fatigue, joint pain, and pale skin can also occur with sickle cell disease or another problem, so they should be interpreted with the person’s usual pattern and examination.

Contact your sickle cell team or an urgent medical service as soon as infection is suspected, following any personal action plan. Keep drinking if able, take prescribed medicines as directed, and record symptoms and their timing. Do not delay care while waiting for symptoms to become more typical. Assessment may include a [Blood Test](/treatments/diagnostics-and-screening/blood-test/) and other checks. Read more about [Sickle Cell Disease](/conditions/sickle-cell-disease/).

Seek emergency help for breathing trouble, chest pain, confusion, fainting, severe weakness, a new neurological symptom, inability to drink, or rapidly worsening pain. A new fever or suspected infection warrants urgent same-day assessment even if the person otherwise looks well.

Ask which symptoms should trigger your emergency plan, which medicines can be used safely during illness, how hydration should be managed, and whether household members need specific preventive advice. [Premarital Screening](/treatments/diagnostics-and-screening/premarital-screening/) can be discussed when relevant to family planning.