Albumin protein

Protein found in blood

Anaemia

Condition where the sufferer has a low red blood cell count, which can lead to a pale appearance, breathlessness and reduced energy

Antibody

Protein found in blood that responds to foreign material (e.g. bacteria, virus etc.) as part of the body’s immune system

Antifibrinolytic

Drugs that inhibit fibrinolysis (the process of breaking down a clot)

Arthritis

Inflammation of a joint, usually accompanied by pain, swelling, and stiffness

Bypassing agent

A medical treatment that allows the blood of an inhibitor patient to clot normally.  It works in a different way to factor VIII or factor IX replacement therapy and bypasses the affect of the inhibitor.

Chromosome

Strand of DNA that carries genetic information

Coagulation

The change, especially of blood, from liquid to solid also described as clotting

Cryoprecipitate

Factor VIII rich substance prepared from frozen plasma

DDAVP

A brand name for desmopressin - a treatment used for people with mild haemophilia A which releases factor VIII from where it is stored in the body causing an increase in the amount of it in the blood

Desmopressin

A treatment used for people with haemophilia A which stimulates release of factor VIII from its body stores resulting in an increase in the amount of it in the blood

DNA

Material that contains all the information needed for the body

Dominant gene

For each body characteristic every person has two genes - one from their mother and one from their father.  In some cases a certain gene will have the ability to take priority over the other, this gene is described as dominant

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Factor VII

A protein involved in the clotting of blood

Fibrin sealant

A Fibrin sealant is a type of surgical tissue glue that is used during surgery to control bleeding

Gene

A section of a chromosome that gives genetic information for a specific characteristic, i.e. the colour of your hair

Genetic engineering

The process by which genes can be altered so as to program a different characteristic from the one they held originally

Haematocrit

Percent of whole blood that is composed of red blood cells

Haemophilia

A disease which means your blood cannot clot properly (click here for more information)

Haemostatic

(Action) reduces or stops bleeding

Half-life

A measure which allows a calculation of how long something stays in your blood

Hepatitis

A virus which causes inflammation of the liver. Hepatitis C is caused by the Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) that causes liver inflammation that is often asymptomatic, the ensuing chronic hepatitis can result later in more serious effects such as cirrhosis

Hereditary

Passed down from one generation of a family to the next generation

High titre inhibitor

A high titre inhibitor is one in which there is a high level of inhibitor (>5 BU) present in the blood (click here for more information)

Human Immunodeficiency Disease (HIV)

A virus that steadily weakens the body's defence (immune) system. This can lead to AIDs which means that the body can no longer fight off infections effectively

Immune Tolerance Induction (ITI)

High doses of clotting factor are given on a regular basis with the aim of swamping the inhibitor, so that the body will get used to the treatment and stop producing antibodies

Immunomodulator

An agent which modulates (changes) the body’s natural immune response

Immunosuppressant

An agent that acts to suppress the body's natural immune response

Inhibitors

Inhibitors are antibodies produced by the body that neutralises clotting factors. They inhibit (stop) clotting factors from working effectively

Intravenous

Into a vein

There are no words in the glossary that begin with this letter

There are no words in the glossary that begin with this letter

Low titre inhibitor

A low titre inhibitor is one in which there is a low level of inhibitor (<5 BU) present in the blood (click here for more information)

Lyophilisation

Rapid freezing and dehydration of a liquid

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Nucleus

Compartment of the cell in which DNA (genetic information) is stored

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Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy is a physical therapy that maximises the range of movement in joints, muscles and bones

Plasma

The liquid part of blood in which the cells are suspended

Plasma exchange

This is a therapy in which blood is withdrawn from a patient, the plasma is removed and replaced, and the blood is returned to the patient in a transfusion. This leaves red and white cells in place but removes the antibodies

Platelets

Cells responsible for blood clotting

Pneumocystis carinii

A type of pneumonia (lung inflammation) seen in people with impaired immunity

Primary prophylaxis

A prophylactic regime that starts regular infusions of replacement clotting factor treatment, either before any bleeds have occurred or after a single joint bleed

Prophylaxis

Treatment used in a preventative way – i.e. in haemophilia, factor VIII used regularly to prevent bleeding episodes

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Recessive gene

For each body characteristic every person has two genes - one from their mother and one from their father.  In some cases a gene will be overridden if paired with a dominant gene, the ignored gene is described as being recessive

Secondary prophylaxis

A prophylactic regime which is either continuous prophylaxis starting after two joint bleeds or regular infusions of treatment undertaken periodically for short periods, for example seasonally or before and after an operation

Target joint

A target joint is a joint which has been affected repeatedly by bleeds and as a result has become more susceptible to future bleeds

Titre

The strength or activity of an inhibitor is called inhibitor titre. Inhibitor titre is measured by the Bethesda Assay and expressed in Bethesda Units, people may have a high or low titre inhibitor. 

Tranexamic acid

A medication that prevents clots from being broken down by the body and can be used in the case of nosebleeds or gum bleeds

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Variant Creutzfeldt Jakob Disease (vCJD)

A rare fatal infection caused by something called a prion (click here for more information) that causes neurological complications

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X-linked condition

Humans have two chromosomes that determine which sex they are, these are called X and Y.  If a person has two X chromosomes they are a female and if they have X and Y they are male. An X-linked condition is one that is only found on the X chromosome

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