Dengue is one of the most widespread mosquito-borne viral infections in the world. The virus responsible for causing dengue is dengue virus (DENV). There are four types of this virus, meaning that you can be infected up to four times.
Dengue has a marked effect of lowering the platelet count of patients. This makes it a very dangerous and serious illness. This also makes it important to learn how to increase platelet count in dengue patients.
Platelet Count
Platelets are a component of your blood. They are also known as thrombocytes. Their primary function is to help stop bleeding by forming blood clots. They also serve as a line of defense by way of processes like agglutination, or clumping.
Platelets are responsible for processing coagulation, hemostasis, angiogenesis, inflammation, and probably the most relevant process to addressing dengue – mobilizing an immune system response.
A typical person of average health has a platelet count ranging from 150,000 to 200,000 for each microlitre of blood.
The Importance of Platelet count in Dengue
When affected by dengue, you may find yourself in one of four categories that indicate the amount of platelets you have, and the corresponding risk level:
- No risk: 100,000 or more platelets per microlitre of blood
- Low risk: 40,000 to 100,000 platelets per microlitre of blood
- Moderate risk: 21,000 to 40,000 platelets per microlitre of blood
- High Risk: Anything less than 20,000 platelets per microlitre of blood
When you find yourself at high risk and are experiencing severe symptoms of dengue, it may be necessary to have a platelet transfusion.
When an infected mosquito bites a person, the virus is able to enter the bloodstream and stick to the person’s platelets, which then replicates and spreads to other platelets. The same platelets are also destroyed in the process. This is the main reason why our platelet counts are so low when we are infected with dengue.
A secondary reason for such a low platelet count is the body’s natural response to combat foreign substances in our body. At times, this response destroys normal platelets, as though they were foreign bodies.
How to Increase Platelet Count in Dengue
It is important to emphasize that dengue is a viral infection that is self-limiting, meaning it resolves on its own without specific medications or treatment. However, depending on the severity of dengue, patients may experience dangerously high fevers, dehydration, and low platelet counts.
Patients who are at high risk of bleeding due to low platelet count may need a platelet transfusion. While platelet count is not the only indicator of severe dengue, many people would like to know how to keep their platelet levels up to avoid bleeding or the need for transfusion. Listed below are some ways that promote platelet production and function:
Diet
Eating foods that contain vitamins and minerals that are used to build and maintain platelets in your blood. This includes food that contains vitamin B-12, folate, iron, and vitamin C.
Foods that are good for managing your platelet count include:
- Eggs
- Peanuts
- Fruits like oranges and mangoes
- Lentils
- Beef
- Vegetables like bell peppers, broccoli, and tomatoes
Avoiding foods that decrease your platelet count is equally important. This includes alcohol, cranberry juice, and tonic-based drinks.
Supplements
You can also take supplements that help increase your platelet count. This includes supplements such as chlorophyll, melatonin, bovine colostrum, and papaya leaf extract. However, some of the claims of their effectiveness have not been supported by clinical trials done in humans.
Always consult your doctor before taking any dietary supplement as certain supplements can increase the risk of bleeding and may interact with other medications you are taking.
Hydration
One of the most important practices is to maintain hydration and to never dehydrate yourself while you are affected by dengue.
Key Takeaway
While dengue is a self-limiting disease, some patients are concerned with the risk of bleeding due to low platelet counts. While not all patients with dengue will experience low platelet counts, severe or high-risk cases may require transfusions. Regardless of a person’s dengue classification, maintaining a healthy diet, getting plenty of rest, and having adequate hydration is always a must. These simple things will not only promote platelet production but keep the body nourished until dengue has run its course.
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