Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis
A rare, cancer-like disorder in which both certain types of immune system cells (histiocytes and lymphocytes) start to proliferate and damage body tissues or organs. It can be an inherited condition, or it can occur as a result of immunosuppression (as in organ transplants) or infection. Most patients are young children; signs and symptoms include changes in blood cell counts, enlarged liver and spleen, enlarged lymph nodes, and rash. Treatment is by chemotherapy, and in some cases bone-marrow transplantation.
See also histiocytosis.
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- Hemophilia
hemophilia A and hemophilia B.
- Hemophilia A
Classic hemophilia, which is due to a profound deficiency in the activity of clotting factor VIII. Affected individuals suffer hemorrhage into joints and muscles, easy bruising, and prolonged bleeding from wounds. The disease is inherited as an X-linked trait, so males are affected and females carry the gene. Treatment involves administration of blood products that […]
- Hemophilia B
Hemophilia due to deficiency of coagulation factor IX in the blood, which results in prolonged oozing after minor and major injuries, tooth extractions, or surgery. There is renewed bleeding after the initial bleeding has stopped. The gene for hemophilia B is on the X chromosome, so males are affected and females carry the gene. About […]
- Hemophilia carrier
A female carrying a mutant gene for hemophilia on one of her two X chromosomes and a normal allele on her other X chromosome. Hemophilia carriers have concentrations of clotting factor VIII or IX of about 50% of normal and, hence, decreased ability to clot their blood. However, if they have a clinical bleeding tendency, […]
- Hemoptysis
Spitting up blood or blood-tinged sputum from the respiratory tract. Hemoptysis occurs when tiny blood vessels that line the lung airways are broken. Hemoptysis can be harmless such as from irritated bronchial tubes with bronchitis, or be serious such as from cancer of the lung.