Sickle cell disease is a lifelong condition. Treatment helps people with sickle cell disease avoid problems and stay active. A treatment plan includes:

• Immunizations and daily doses of penicillin to help prevent infection. Kids with sickle cell disease should get all recommended vaccinations, including the pneumococcal, flu, coronavirus (COVID-19), and meningococcal vaccines.
• Folic acid supplements, which can help kids make new red blood cells.
• Medicines to help manage pain when it does happen.

A doctor may recommend other treatments for a child with sickle cell disease, such as:

• hydroxyurea, a daily medicine that makes the cells less sticky. This helps decrease the frequency and intensity of painful episodes and many other problems. It is strongly recommended for many children with sickle cell disease.
• blood transfusions for severe anemia or to treat or prevent some problems
• voxelator (Oxbryta), a daily medicine to reduce sickling and increase the number of red blood cells by helping them hold on more tightly to oxygen
• crizanlizumab (Adakveo), a medicine given by IV infusion that can help make red blood cells more slippery and can reduce pain crises
• L-glutamine, a daily medicine taken by mouth to reduce pain

Stem cell transplant (also called bone marrow transplant) is the only proven cure for sickle cell disease. Transplants are complex and risky but often very successful. They're currently an option only for some patients.

Scientists and doctors are using clinical trials to develop new medicines to treat and prevent problems. They're also studying gene therapy as a potential cure for sickle cell anemia by changing or replacing the abnormal gene that causes it.