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Following are the most common types of sickle cell disease:

HbSS - People who have this form of sickle cell disease inherit two sickle cell genes (“S”), one from each parent. This is commonly called “sickle cell anemia” and is usually the most severe form of the disease.

HbSC - People who have this form of sickle cell disease inherit one sickle cell gene and one gene from an abnormal type of hemoglobin called “C.” Hemoglobin is a protein that allows red blood cells to carry oxygen to all parts of the body. This is usually a milder form of the disease.

HbS beta thalassemia - People who have this form of sickle cell disease inherit one sickle cell gene and one gene for beta thalassemia, another type of anemia. There are two types of beta thalassemia. “O” and “+.” Those with HbS beta O-thalassemia usually have a severe form of the disease. People with HbS beta +-thalassemia tend to have a milder form of the disease.

HbAS - People who have this form of sickle cell disease inherit one sickle cell gene and one normal gene. This is called sickle cell trait. People with sickle cell trait usually do not have any of the symptoms of the disease and live a normal life, but they can pass the disease on to their children.

There are also a few rare types of sickle cell disease:

HbSD, HbSE, HbSO Arab – People who have these forms of sickle cell disease inherit one sickle cell gene and one gene from an abnormal type of hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is a protein that allows red blood cells to carry oxygen to all parts of the body. The severity of these rarer types of the disease varies. Often, the disease symptoms and complications are similar to those of a person with “SS”.
 

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