How can the disease be treated?

There is no cure for Sickle Cell, but treatments have been developed. Patients may be given blood transfusions, oral antibiotics, or hydroxyurea. Blood transfusions increase the number of normal blood cells. During oral antibiotics, patients are given penicillin twice a day to prevent infection and early death for young children. Hydroxyurea is an anticancer drug that reduces pain and is the first effective drug treatment for adults.