Why Platelets count is crucial in dengue?

Thrombocytes, commonly known as platelets are a major component of blood. They are primarily responsible to stop bleeding from wounds and injuries through clotting. Some people, however, have thrombocytopenia, or a low platelet count, and must find ways to increase platelets count. Thrombocytes also take part in other processes such as clumping or agglutination, which provides a defence mechanism through forming clusters. The usual value of platelet count in a human is ranging from 1.5 lacks to 4 lacks, while it decreases drastically when a person suffers from dengue fever.

For a Dengue patient following risk, categories are applicable depending on their platelets count

Category	Platelet count (per cubic millimetre of blood)
No risk	>100,000
Low risks	40,000-100,000
Moderate risk	21,000-40,000
High risk	< 20,000

What is a healthy platelet count?

A typical platelet count is estimated to be between 150,000 and 450,000 platelets per microliter of blood. Thrombocytosis, it’s a condition when the platelets count increases from 450,000, while thrombocytopenia is the situation when platelets decrease to even lesser than 150,000. To check current platelets count a person go through CBC (complete blood count) which is a routine blood test.

Thrombocytosis: It is a term used for a condition when a person has too many platelets. There are two types of thrombocytosis.

• Essential or primary thrombocytosis – Because of unknown reasons, an increase in several platelets is caused by abnormal cells in the bone marrow. The symptoms include spontaneous blood clots, which if left untreated and in extreme cases can lead to strokes and heart diseases. In such an adverse condition, the person needs to undergo a procedure called plateletpheresis. The process separates the platelets and return the red blood cells to the body and thus decreasing the platelets count through this.
• Secondary thrombocytosis – It causes an abnormal increase in platelets due to an ongoing illness or diseases such as anaemia, cancer, inflammation, or some kind of infection. In this type, the symptoms are usually associated with the underlying disease. For instance, if you have an infection or anaemia, you need to treat that and the platelets count will be back to normal.

How platelets relate to cardiovascular disease

The risk of clotting is increased if a person has too many platelets, but most of the time cardiovascular disease is linked with the platelet function instead of platelet number. For instance, if someone’s platelets are sticking together they have a higher chance of stroke or heart attack even if they have a healthy number of platelets count.

How do you read a platelet count report?

150,000 to 450,000 platelets per microliter of blood is considered to be an average platelet blood count. If this number elevates from this then the person is suffering from thrombocytosis, however, if it decreases then the underlying condition is known as thrombocytopenia. CBC (complete blood count) is a routine blood test that gives insight into the actual number of platelets.

Platelets transfusion is required in some cases when the count decreases to even lesser than 100,000, but in the case of blood indications, it can also be given at a cut off value of 10,000 as well.

There are many requests for the donation of platelets. However, who can donate them and what are the key points for donors to remember are very crucial to know. The criteria for eligibility to become a donor is the same for complete blood or just platelet donation. A healthy adult who passes the screening process of the blood bank for platelet donation can donate the platelets.

Major complications of low platelet count?

A close check on platelets count is mandatory even if the fever subsides. Dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) can also be developed in patients with dengue fever and is usually recognized by the platelet count of lesser than 1 lac. This is identified by the leaking of blood capillaries, which as a consequence lead to failure of the circulatory system and shock, in addition, DHF without appropriate measures and treatment can lead a patient to death in extreme cases. Hemorrhagic appearances include skin haemorrhages, bleeding nose or gums, and internal bleeding.  Prophylactic platelet transfusion is recommended for these patients.

How can we increase platelets count in dengue?

According to famous nutrition research, in dengue, platelets and their number hold utmost importance. Usage of fluids like coconut water, pomegranate, or cranberry juice is vital to increase the blood platelets count. To bring the fever down and to deal with the weakness, oral rehydration is highly suggested.

Also, In conditions when transfusions are required, platelet counts can be increased with regular transfusions. Aside from such treatments, one of the most effective ways to increase platelets count is to eat foods that aid in healing. Some of the approaches to enhance and maintain healthy platelet count throughout the infection stage include papaya leaf extract, green leafy veggies, fruits, iron-rich foods, vitamin-C and vitamin-K-rich foods and supplements.

Dengue fever is a viral disease with growing global importance that evolves quickly over a short period.  The traditional form of this virus has an incubation period of 5 to 8 days followed by fever, severe headache, and chills, with a rash appearing 3 to 4 days later.
There are numerous additional ways to treat dengue fever.  We are also providing an excellent herbal solution called “Karika Medicine ” to enhance and increase platelets count and if you would like to find or consult our best pharmacist, you can book an appointment with us. I recommend you give this a try.