Which of the following are symptoms of a sickle cell crisis?

• A. rash, fever, and dizziness
• B. fever, pain, weakness or fatigue
• C. abdominal pain and swelling
• D. fever, pain, weakness or fatigue, abdominal pain and swelling or headaches

Answer: (D)

A sickle cell crisis happens when sickled red blood cells block small vessels, causing intense pain from tissue ischemia and often triggering systemic symptoms. The most telling combination includes fever and pain, along with weakness or fatigue from anemia, and can extend to the abdomen with abdominal pain and swelling or to the head with headaches if the brain is affected. This broad mix captures both the hallmark pain and the possible systemic and organ-specific manifestations that can accompany a crisis. Rashes or dizziness are less consistently linked to a crisis, so they don’t fit as well as the comprehensive pattern.