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(HealthDay News) -- Hemophilia is a genetic disorder that is caused by a blood-clotting protein that's in short supply or missing entirely.

Hemophiliacs may bruise or bleed more easily than other people, and they tend to bleed longer.

This could lead to dangerous blood loss, which ultimately could cause organ and tissue damage, the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute says.

Hemophiliacs should be careful to protect themselves from cuts, bruises, or other injuries that could cause them to bleed. They may also need regular infusions of healthy blood that contains the clotting factors missing from their own blood cells.