What can be done to prevent the condition?

Many cases cannot be prevented. Eating a well-balanced diet can help prevent some cases caused by low levels of vitamins or minerals. Avoiding alcohol can prevent cases from alcohol abuse.

What are the long-term effects of the condition?

Severe anemia can make a person too weak to perform normal activities. It can even cause heart attacks, other organ damage, and death. However, most long-term effects of anemia depend on the cause. For example, cases due to low levels of vitamins or minerals can often be treated. These cases may cause no long-term effects. On the other hand, cases due to cancer may result in death.

What are the risks to others?

Anemia is not contagious, but it can be inherited. People with inherited forms of anemia, such as sickle cell disease, may want to seek genetic counseling. This can help people understand the risk of passing anemia on to their children.