Sickle cell trait is a genetic condition where an individual inherits one normal hemoglobin gene (HbA) from one parent and one sickle hemoglobin gene (HbS) from the other parent. This differs from sickle cell disease, where a person inherits two sickle hemoglobin genes, one from each parent. The presence of one normal hemoglobin gene generally allows individuals with the sickle cell trait to produce enough normal hemoglobin to prevent the severe symptoms associated with sickle cell disease.
