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Joana Williams: How Sickle Cell Trait Protects Against Malaria

Joana Williams/LinkedIn

Oct 29, 2025, 07:04

Joana Williams: How Sickle Cell Trait Protects Against Malaria

Joana Williams, Biology and Chemistry Student at the University of Education, Winneba, shared on LinkedIn:

”Sickle Cell Series/Episode 8

Here’s an interesting fact

People with the sickle cell trait (AS) are naturally protected against malaria!

They have a mix of red blood cells; some are round and normal, while others are slightly sickle-shaped.

This balance actually helps them.

When malaria parasites invade their red blood cells, the slightly sickled ones collapse early and destroy the parasite inside stopping the infection before it spreads.

However, this doesn’t happen for people with SS (sickle cell disease).
Their red blood cells are mostly sickle-shaped, fragile, and already struggling to carry oxygen.

So instead of fighting off malaria, their bodies become even weaker. Making malaria infections more dangerous and life-threatening.

It’s fascinating how the same gene that causes disease in one form… offers protection in another.

Did you know about this malaria-sickle cell connection before now?

I’d love to know your thoughts, fascinating or frightening?”

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