Leukemia for Kids

Overview

The doctor says your blood is making you sick. You have "leukemia." What does that mean, exactly? Well, let's find out.

Bad blood cells

In our blood, we have tiny things we call "blood cells." They're like little workers that help carry food and fresh air to all the parts of our bodies. There are even special blood cells that help protect us from things that make us sick. But with leukemia, some of your blood cells stop doing their jobs. These bad cells grow and multiply, and they crowd out the healthy blood cells. This isn't good for your body.

How you feel

Leukemia makes you feel tired and sick sometimes. You can have a fever. Your body can hurt. And, you can get a cold or infection easily when you're around other people who are sick. It can be hard to do the things you like to do when you have leukemia.

How we treat it

So, how do you get better? Well, we can give you special medicine. You go to the doctor to get it. It goes through a tube and into your blood, where it helps fight the bad blood cells. You may need to go to the doctor many times to get this medicine. Your doctor may use other things, like special X-rays, to fight the bad cells, too. By doing what the doctor says, you can help your body feel better.

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.