dengue fever: Dengue disease is widespread in this monsoon season and the number of patients suffering from this disease is continuously increasing. Generally, dengue cases can have two symptoms, mild and severe. Hemorrhagic dengue is considered a severe form.

You must have heard many times that platelet count starts decreasing in dengue patients, which is considered very dangerous. But today we will discuss what platelets are, why they start decreasing in dengue and what can be done to increase them.

information about platelets

• Platelets, or thrombocytes, are small, colorless cells in our blood that keep the blood from clotting.
• A healthy person has 1,50,000 to 4,50,000 platelets per microliter of blood.
• Platelet count more than 4,50,000 is known as thrombocytosis and platelet count less than 1,50,000 is known as thrombocytopenia. Dengue patients have a higher risk of low platelet count.

Reasons behind platelet count in dengue

• Three main reasons are considered responsible for low platelets in dengue.
• Our bone marrow gets suppressed. Due to which the formation of platelets starts decreasing.
• Blood cells infected with dengue virus start damaging platelets and destroying them.
• In such a situation, the platelets produced from antibodies in the body also start decreasing.

Risk of bleeding due to low platelets

• In case of dengue, platelet count may remain low for three to four days.
• However, it starts to improve in eight or nine days. Platelets help blood clot, so its deficiency in the body can lead to blood-related problems along with vomiting or diarrhea in dengue.
• According to experts, when suffering from dengue, everyone should try to increase the platelet count, so that it can help in fighting the infection.

How can platelets be increased when they are low?

• In case of low platelets, one should be immediately admitted to the hospital. Apart from this, the intake of foods rich in Omega-3, vitamins, iron and other minerals should be increased.
• Apart from this, liquids, fruit juices and coconut water should be consumed.