Why won't factor work anymore?

    The immune system protects the body from things like bacteria and viruses. Sometimes the immune system responds to factor as something that is invading the body. So, the immune system makes antibodies against the factor. The antibodies stop, or inhibit, the factor from working. These kinds of antibodies are called inhibitors.

    Who develops inhibitors?
    Your chances of getting an inhibitor depend on a few things:
    Severity of hemophilia
    Type of hemophilia
    Family history
    Race
    People with severe hemophilia are more likely to get inhibitors than those with mild hemophilia. Hemophilia with inhibitors is also more common in people with hemophilia A.

    Having a family history, or hereditary link, of inhibitors, means you are more likely to get them. People of African or Hispanic descent are also at greater risk.


Next: Discovering inhibitors>