What is Hemophilia?

The word "hemophilia" comes from two Greek words: haima, meaning blood, and philia, meaning affection. It is pronounced "he-mo-feel-ia".¹

Hemophilia is not a condition you can 'catch' — it is hereditary, meaning it is passed on from one or both parents to the child, who then carries the gene for hemophilia, and has the condition from birth.^1,2

People with hemophilia, commonly referred to as hemophiliacs, have a problem with clotting in their blood. Clotting is the process by which your blood forms a solid plug, to help stop bleeding. Because they are lacking one of several blood-clotting proteins, called factors, they bleed for a longer time than other people. This doesn’t mean that they bleed more profusely or quickly than others, just that they don’t stop bleeding as quickly.^1,2

Hemophiliacs don’t have a problem with minor cuts, which is a common myth. The real danger is from internal bleeding, or haemorrhaging. Bleeding in joints like the knees, elbow, and ankles, or into tissues and muscles can be a real problem, and can lead to swelling and pain in the affected area, and even permanent damage. When bleeding happens in a vital organ, especially the brain, it can put the person’s life in danger.^1,3,4

The most common type of hemophilia is called hemophilia A, or classical hemophilia. Since it is caused by the lack of factor 8 in the blood (written factor VIII), it is also referred to as factor VIII deficiency hemophilia. Hemophilia B, or Christmas Disease, was first diagnosed in a Canadian named Steven Christmas in 1952. Caused by a lack of factor 9 (written factor IX), it is also referred to as factor IX deficiency hemophilia.¹ Hemophilia C, which is the rarest form, is caused by a lack of factor XI (eleven), and is also referred to as factor XI (eleven) deficiency hemophilia. Unlike A and B, which can only be passed on by the mother, hemophilia C is caused by a gene from both the mother and father.⁵