What’s the Connection Between Sickle Cell Trait and Malaria?
Medically reviewed by: Melanie L. Pitone, MD
Malaria is an infection that’s carried by some mosquitoes, especially in hot, tropical places. It can make people very sick, and many have died from it.
Sickle cell trait is a blood condition that runs in some families. People with it have one copy of the "sickle cell gene," but they don't have sickle cell disease.
If a mosquito carrying the malaria germ bites someone with sickle cell trait, the person isn't as likely to get as sick as other people. That’s because people with sickle cell trait have red blood cells that make it hard for the malaria germ to grow.
-
What Does Malaria Have to Do With Sickle Cell Trait?
Watch this video to learn about evolution and where scientists think sickle cell trait came from.