Dengue Symptoms and Platelet Count: Normal Range, Danger Level and Warning Signs
Platelets are little blood cells which are responsible for blood clotting and preventing bleeding. In dengue fever, platelet counts are monitored very closely as they can fall quite rapidly and that can be a problem. The dengue virus attacks the bone marrow (where platelets are produced) so the body will produce fewer platelets. As the disease progresses the virus can also damage the platelets that are already in the blood, leading to a further reduction in their numbers. Today in this blog, we will understand about Dengue symptoms and platelet count.
Dengue Symptoms and Platelet Count
Before we move on to knowing Dengue symptoms and platelet count, let us first understand what the Dengue is. Before we move on to knowing Dengue symptoms and platelet count, let us first understand what the Dengue is. Dengue is caused by a Aedes mosquito bite. Its symptoms usually appear 4 to 10 days after the bite.
Early Signs and Symptoms of Dengue Fever
The majority of cases are mild to moderate with a fever (104°F/40°C), nausea and vomiting, fatigue, headaches, eye pain, joint and muscle pain, a rash and generally quite unwell.
People usually recover in 1 to 2 weeks. In some cases, the symptoms can become quite serious with ongoing vomiting, rapid breathing, bleeding from the gums or nose, extreme fatigue or restlessness, blood in the vomit or stool, extreme thirst and pale cold skin.
Dengue Fever Platelet Count
Dengue Symptoms and Platelet Count: A normal platelet counts in Dengue is measured between 150,000 to 450 per microlitre of blood. In the case of dengue fever, the counts usually reduce on day 3 and 4, and reaches the minimum level in days 4 and 7. Recovery takes around 1 to 2 weeks.
Low Platelet Counts Symptoms
Thrombocytopenia in Dengue: In medical terms, a low platelet count is also called thrombocytopenia. In dengue thrombocytopenia is defined as a platelet count less than 150,000 per cubic mm which is normally between 150,000 and 450,000. It's a classic feature of the disease and a common warning sign. Mild cases may not show symptoms; however, when the count drops below normal, it can affect blood clotting and cause possible external and internal bleeding.
Common symptoms include easy bruising, pinhead-sized red or purple spots under the skin, brownish-yellow spots that can also be red or purple, frequent nosebleeds, bleeding gums during tooth brushing, or mouth blisters. The other symptoms are cuts, scrapes, heavy menstrual bleeding, blood in body wastes (urine and stool), blood in vomit, and unexplained tiredness that may also be linked with anemia.
11 Warning Signs of Dengue Fever in Child
Dengue symptoms and platelet count in children are a serious concern that cannot be overlooked. Below are the warning dengue symptoms in child you must not overlook.
- Restlessness
- Difficulty in waking up child
- Unusual bruising
- Bleeding from gums and nose
- Unusual sleepiness
- Ongoing stomach pain
- Lethargy
- Abdominal pain
- Rapid breathing
- Sudden drop in body temperature
- Pale skin
Dengue Platelet Counts Danger Level
To understand dengue platelet counts at a dangerous level, see the table below.
| High Bleeding Risk | Below 20,000 /µL |
| Critically Low | Below 50,000 /µL |
| Moderate Decrease | 50,000 to 100,000 /µL |
| Mild Decrease | 100,000 to 150,000 /µL |
| Normal | 150,000 to 450,000 /µL |
Normal Platelet Counts by Age
| Age | Stage | Platelet Range |
| Newborns | 0–1 Month | 150,000 to 600,000/mcL |
| Kids | 1 Year to 12 Years | 155,000 to 500,000/mcL |
| Adults | 18–64 Years | 150,000 to 450,000/mcL |
| Older Adults | 65+ Years | 100,000–120,000/mcL |
Platelets Normal Range in Female
For adult women a normal platelet count is 150,000 to 450,000 platelets per mcL. Below 150,000 is considered low and above 450,000 is considered high. Platelets can go up and down for all sorts of reasons (normal variation, longer periods, mild drops in pregnancy (gestational thrombocytopenia), transient changes in the way blood cells move through the body etc).
Why Platelets Decrease in Dengue
When you have dengue your platelet count goes down as the body is producing fewer platelets, destroying more and the virus itself is impairing the immune system. The dengue virus can have a direct effect on the bone marrow and slow it down so that it's not producing and releasing as many new platelets. This in turn makes the immune system weaker and less able to fight the virus. In some cases, the antibodies can go wrong and attack the healthy platelets. The virus also causes the blood vessels to leak more and it uses up the platelets as the body is repairing the damage to the small blood vessels.
Flypped Conclusion
You need to know dengue symptoms and platelet count before they cause further complications. Knowing this helps with recovery. Dengue fever is a major cause of a drop in platelet count, which can be life-threatening for kids, pregnant women, adults, and older people if left untreated. In this blog, we cover possible symptoms and causes, along with ranges that indicate normal and dangerous platelet counts. If you have any mild dengue symptoms, seek medical help for timely treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about this topic
The normal range of platelet count in dengue is 150,000 to 450 per microlitre of blood.
The common symptoms of dengue fever include ongoing vomiting, rapid breathing, bleeding from the gums or nose, extreme fatigue or restlessness, blood in the vomit or stool and much more.
Dengue is caused by the infectious bite of Aedes mosquito. Infants are very easy prey for it; hence mothers must take serious care about their newborns.
If untreated for long time, and failing in speedy medical treatment, then there are possible chances of Dengue patient to pass away.
For the prevention of dengue, it is important to drain out water from flower pots, coolers, and discarded containers. Wear protective clothing and keep insect repellent creams. Seek medical care if you feel high fever or headache.
