What are the treatment options for aplastic anaemia?

Aplastic anaemia occurs when the bone marrow does not make enough red cells, white cells and platelets. Low red cells can cause tiredness and breathlessness; low white cells raise infection concerns; low platelets can lead to bruising or bleeding. Blood transfusions replace selected blood components while the marrow is unable to make enough of them. They support the body but do not correct the underlying marrow problem.

An allogeneic stem cell transplant replaces damaged or failing marrow-forming cells with cells from a donor. It may offer a way to restore blood-cell production for a suitable person. The team weighs age, general health, severity, infection status, previous transfusions and whether a suitable donor can be identified.

Attend blood-count checks and tell the team about fever, bleeding, new breathlessness or unusual fatigue. Ask which foods, activities and medicines to avoid while blood counts are low. Use gentle oral care and protect the skin from cuts. Before a possible transplant, discuss donor matching, fertility, vaccinations, hospital time and the support needed at home. Never start an over-the-counter medicine without checking it with the haematology team.

A fever, shaking chills, a new cough, breathlessness, confusion or feeling suddenly very unwell needs urgent medical advice. Seek emergency help for bleeding that does not stop, vomiting blood, black stools, a severe headache, a seizure or fainting. Low white cells and platelets can make infection and bleeding progress quickly.

How low are my blood counts, and what symptoms matter most? What transfusions might I need? Is a donor transplant suitable, and how will donor matching work? Which medicines and activities should I avoid? Who should I call outside clinic hours?