What is hemophilia A?
Hemophilia A is an inherited bleeding disorder that only occurs in males. A male with hemophilia A is missing a protein called factor 8, which helps form blood clots. Normal blood coagulation requires the complex interaction of about 20 proteins, called clotting factors. Low levels of factor 8 result in prolonged blood clotting.

What are the symptoms of hemophilia A?
Symptoms of hemophilia A include prolonged bleeding, bleeding into the joints, joint swelling, joint pains, knee pain, bleeding gums, fatigue, nose bleeding, excessive bruising, blood in the stool, black stool, and a rash that looks like bruises or broken blood vessels.

How does the doctor treat hemophilia A?
Treatment for hemophilia A includes intravenous infusions of factor 8, fresh frozen plasma, desmopressin, and gene therapy.