What is Hemophilia?

Hemophilia is a blood disorder in which the blood does not clot properly. People with hemophilia sometimes cannot stop bleeding on their own. Bleeding can continue for a long time - so long that it may cause damage to their body, or be dangerous to their health.

This sounds frightening, but for people in countries like the United States, there is medicine that can stop bleeding fast. Today, many young children with hemophilia are growing up with little danger to their health from bleeding.

Hemophilia can be found in every country in the world. Although it can affect people of any race, religion or nationality, hemophilia is extremely rare. It mostly affects males.

Perhaps because it is so rare, many myths surround hemophilia.

Adapted from Tell Them the Facts! By Laureen A. Kelley, 1995