Types of treatment

The cornerstone of treatment for haemophilia A and B is clotting factor replacement therapy. Therapy can be given:

• ‘On demand’ - treatment given when bleeding occurs (i.e. after an injury), or as
•  ‘Prophylaxis’ - treatment given to prevent bleeds (keeps factor at levels sufficient to prevent joint bleeds).

Other treatments may be recommended depending on the severity of the condition and on specific medical problems encountered. Pain relief, physiotherapy, massage and other more ‘holistic’ therapies are sometimes also used in the treatment of haemophilia, and although haemophilia treatment is usually co-ordinated by a haematologist (a specialist in blood disorders), specialist nurses, physiotherapists, orthopaedic surgeons and pharmacists may all become involved.

Clotting factor concentrates are prepared from the plasma of donated human blood (so-called ‘plasma-derived’ clotting factors) or generated artificially using genetic engineering techniques (‘recombinant’ clotting factors). Both types of clotting factor replacement therapies are injected into a vein over a period of several minutes.

Desmopressin is a medication that is sometimes used for people with mild haemophilia A. It works by encouraging the body to produce more of its own Factor VIII, but is not suitable for severe forms of the condition or for people with haemophilia B.

‘RICE’ (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) is a simple treatment approach recommended for joint bleeds. RICE can help to reduce swelling and tissue damage when used in combination with clotting factor concentrates.