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Hemophilia is an inherited blood clotting disorder. In someone with hemophilia, bleeding last longer than it would in someone
without hemophilia. Although hemophilia occurs mainly in males, females can carry the gene which causes it and pass it to
their offspring.
Hemophilia is a lifelong condition for which we have no cure at this time. However, it can be treated. With proper medical
care, a person with hemophilia can look forward to a normal life into adulthood.
A person with hemophilia has prolonged bleeding because one of the clotting factors is defective or inactive. As a result,
a strong clot does not form and bleeding continues.
A person with hemophilia does not bleed faster than someone without hemophilia. However, the person with hemophilia will
bleed longer. Bleeding into internal spaces such as joints, muscles, or organs is a major concern. Repeated, prolonged bleeding
into these spaces can do o harm beyond repair.
Many bleeding episodes, especially those in muscles or joints, are the results of injuries. For some people with hemophilia,
however, bleeding may begin without a known cause. These episodes are called "spontaneous bleeds".
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