Q My sister was recently hit by dengue in here mumbai. We went to delhi for about a week to attend a family function and while on our way back into the train she started experiencing high fever. We only came to know that she was hit by dengue only after we were back from delhi and post blood tests. There were blood patches across all her body, she was bleeding from her ears, she bled a couple of times when she coughed. Her lungs were hemorrhaged. We had her admit to a local hospital in our suburb, but the doctors there said the case was critical and advised us to take her to a hospital where all the facilities were available. Then we took her to nanavati hospital, mumbai. There, the doctors expressed concern over her condition, and said she had very less chances of survival. But by gods grace she was out of danger after about a week. Now, her blood platelet count would not shoot up, its about a month. It ranges anywhere between 10000-15000. When she was discharged, her count had gone up to 20000. She could perfectly walk, talk, breathe, take bat etc. But my only concern is her platelet count. Weve been regularly giving her aloevera juice, juices from papaya leaves, papaya, green vegetables etc, but still the blood platelet count would not shoot up. The doctors have conducted all kinds of tests including the bone marrow and pheripheral tests. Everything seemed to be perfectly fine. Were supposed to take the blood sample again on the coming thursday (11th aug 2011) and take the reports to the physician for examination. I hope it shoots back up to at least 150,000. In case if it does not, what should be a good solution?
In general platelet transfusion is not necessary unless the patient with low platelet count has bleeding or hemorrhage or requires any kind of surgery or invasive procedure. But platelet transfusion can be recommended even without any bleeding if the platelet count is below 10,000.