How Kids Can Explain Hemophilia to Their Friends

This children’s video from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention focuses on how to tell your friends that you have hemophilia.

MORE: How kids can play safe with hemophilia

Billy, a young boy with hemophilia, answers some of the questions that his friends ask about the disease. He explains that when he has a cut he’ll bleed longer than his friends and he needs a special treatment to help the cut heal properly. He also shares that if he injures himself, he might get painful internal bleeds which sometimes force him to use crutches until the swelling goes down, although this only happens if he forgets to have his infusion.

While Billy needs to be extra careful not to injure himself by avoiding things like contact sports and other dangerous activities, he doesn’t need to wear bubble wrap to protect himself. Common sense, keeping up with his medications and looking after himself will help him stay safe.

MORE: Six self-care tips for people living with hemophilia

Hemophilia News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.