Platelets refer to tiny cells that help stop bleeding. A platelet count becomes very important to monitor the severity of a disease. In dengue infection, the platelet count can drop drastically. It leads to a lot of complications. Read on to discover the level of platelets that are dangerous in dengue.
Before knowing the dangerous level of platelet count in dengue, let us first understand the importance of platelets in dengue. For patients suffering from dengue fever, it becomes important to gauge the platelet count to analyse disease progression and the treatment efficacy.
For cases of thrombocytopenia, it becomes vital to administer platelet transfusions and other necessary treatments to stop the bleeding. Consistent monitoring of platelet count predicts the treatment outcome and increases the chances of recovery.
Generally, a normal healthy adult has between 150,000 and 450,000 platelets for every microliter of blood. Having this count ensures a proper blood clot formation to stop bleeding.
However, it is normal in dengue fever for the virus to damage platelets and cause a drastic drop in their levels. This kind of drop ranges from a mild to a severe decrease, where counts sometimes fall below 100,000.
When the platelet counts are low, the chances of bleeding increase exponentially, and this leads to no protection as a form of clotting when faced with nosebleeds, bruises, gum bleeding, and internal bleeding.
Here is an overview of different platelet count ranges and their meaning:
Platelet Count Range | Indication |
150,000 - 450,000 | Normal Range (healthy individuals)
|
50,000 - 150,000 | Low Range (less than severe dengue) |
Less than 50,000 | Critically Low (severe dengue) |
Ways that may increase platelet count
Here is a list of some effective ways one can increase their platelet count during dengue fever:
Dengue fever becomes difficult to manage, especially when the platelet count drops very low. Hence, it is necessary to follow a proper diet plan for a faster recovery.