DENGUE AND PLATELETS

In dengue, the drop in platelet count is because of the following reasons:

• Platelet count in dengue decreases as it suppresses bone marrow, which is the platelet-producing area.
  
  
• Platelet count in dengue decreases because of blood cells affected by the disease.
  
  
• Antibodies that are produced during this period lead to massive destruction of platelets in dengue.
  
  

What is a normal platelet count in a body?

• In the normal human body, the platelet count in dengue ranges from 1.5 lakh to 4 lakh.
  
  

How does a drop in platelet count in cases of dengue manifest? What are the complications?

Patient can be asymptomatic or may have bleeding manifestations, such as:

• Bleeding from gums or nose
  
  
• Blood in urine, stools or vomit
  
  
• Bleeding under the skin, which might look like bruising
  
  
• Major internal organ bleeds in few cases