Blood platelets also are known as thrombocytes, play an important role in your body. These cell fragments are a natural source of growth and play a vital role in the process of hemostasis (preventing bleeding from a damaged blood vessel) as well. Normal platelet count in a microlitre of human blood is 150000 to 450000. A slight decrease in the platelet count does not contribute to the disease but when it is below 50,000 per microliter, thrombocytopenia occurs. Low platelet count in dengue fever can be very dangerous. This might worsen the current condition of the patient which may prove to be fatal for him. Thus, doctors work on increasing the platelet count soon after the diagnosis to save the life of the patient.
The major reasons for low platelet count in dengue fever
Bone Marrow Suppression
Dengue virus, the main cause of dengue fever induces bone marrow suppression. Since bone marrow is the manufacturing center of blood cells its suppression causes the deficiency of blood cells leading to low platelet count.
Several studies show that the dengue virus may even link with platelets in the blood when there is a virus-specific antibody present in the human body.
Anaemia and spontaneous severe bleeding are the other resultant factors of bone marrow suppression.
Also Read: How To Survive From Dengue?
Damage Caused To Blood Cells
When vascular endothelial cell that is infected with dengue virus gets combined with platelets they tend to destroy platelets. This is one of the major causes of low platelet count in dengue fever.
Antibody Attack
Even the antibodies that are produced after infection of the dengue virus can contribute to the destruction of platelets, thus lowering the platelet count.
Problems due to low platelet count
Low platelet count during dengue may trigger several other life-threatening health problems. One of the major conditions is hemorrhagic dengue fever which causes sudden shock and spontaneous bleeding.
Also Read: 5 Dangerous Diseases you Get from a Mosquito
Foods To Increase Platelet Count
As we have mentioned above, one of the major causes of lowering platelets is increasing antibodies. Therefore, to upscale the platelet count, we need to add foods that fight against antibodies.
Eat foods rich in-
Iron: Iron helps to produce healthy blood cells. For a dengue patient, doctors recommend an Iron-rich diet as it fastens recovery. Eating iron-rich foods like lentils, beef, mussels, nuts & seeds(pumpkin seeds), green leafy vegetables(spinach & broccoli), whole wheat, dried fruits, etc.
Vitamin B-12: The deficiency of this vitamin also leads to low platelets in dengue fever. Thus, to keep blood cells healthy, one should eat foods that have this vital vitamin such as Eggs, beef, fish(salmon, clams, tuna), and dairy products(low-fat or skimmed milk, yogurt).
Vitamin C: For the efficient functioning of platelets, vitamin C is essential. It also helps the body to absorb Iron which increases platelet count in the body. The good sources of this vitamin are tomatoes, oranges, lemon, kiwi, pineapple, cauliflower, mangoes, broccoli, bell peppers, etc.
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