Miracle? Platelet count of Jehovah's patient goes up

Much to the relief of both doctors and her family, the 24-year-old woman belonging to the Jehovah s Witnesses community, who is undergoing treatment for dengue at Bombay Hospital, saw a marginal rise in her platelet count on Sunday.

The doctors had found themselves in a bind after her family warned them against doing a blood transfusion as their sect forbids it.

Dr Mukesh Sanklecha, consultant physician of Mary (name changed), said, 'Her platelet count has improved. Yesterday it was 50,000, today it is 56,000 (the normal range is 1.5-4 lakh per litre). We hope she s stable in a day or two.'

Doctors are monitoring her round the clock and ensuring that she doesn t get any external or internal bleeding, a potential life-threatening complication of dengue.

Mary was admitted on September 4 with high grade fever, low white blood cell (WBC) count and dipping platelet count of 1,13,000.

Mumbai has officially recorded four dengue deaths and over 400 cases this monsoon. Doctors said most coming to them have low WBC and platelet counts because of which they have to be hospitalised.

Dr Khusrav Bajan, consultant intensivist at PD Hinduja Hospital, said, 'We are admitting eight to 10 cases of dengue every week. Low WBC count makes the chances of secondary infection and other complications high.'

Dr Pratit Samdhani, consultant physician at Jaslok Hospital, said he has been advising his patients to take utmost care and use mosquito repellent and net, among other things. 'We are seeing at least six cases of dengue daily. In South Mumbai, the disease has created a menace. Many patients have low pulse, low WBC and platelet counts and liver infection,' he said.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has been stressing on the need for citizens to be proactive and ensure there is no stagnant water in their homes and societies.

Head of the civic epidemiology department Dr Mangala Gomare said, 'The breeding spots of the Aedes mosquito, carrier of the dengue virus, are being found in mini-fountains, feng shui plants and miniature artificial ponds. Unlike locating the breeding sites of the female Anopheles mosquito that spreads malaria, it is difficult to find those of the Aedes mosquito as we have to visit homes for that.'

What is dengue?

Dengue fever is a communicable disease and its symptoms include high fever for four to five days, usually accompanied by severe headache, pain in eyes, muscles and joints besides rashes. After the fever goes away, blood platelet count starts dipping. This is the most dangerous phase of the disease.

How to prevent dengue?

Here are a few simple and practical tips to keep dengue at bay:

1. Aedes aegypti mosquitoes are known to bite humans during the day and their most common breeding grounds are manmade containers. Therefore, it is advisable to not have any stagnant water around. Remember to clean out empty flower pots and not to over water potted plants. If the container that contains water cannot be emptied, remember to cover it well when not in use.
2. A natural method to keep mosquitos at bay is to plant tulsi near your window. The plant has properties that do not allow mosquitoes to breed.
3. Using camphor as a repellent also works wonders. Light camphor in a room and close all the doors and windows. Leave it this way for about fifteen to twenty minutes to have a mosquito free environment.
4. Make sure your window and door screens do not have any holes. If so, block those areas properly to eliminate mosquitoes.
5. If someone at home is ill with dengue, try to not let the mosquitoes bite them or others in the house.
6. Always sleep under a mosquito net.
7. If you use a cooler remember to empty out and clean the water tray regularly, even when not in use.
8. Always cover your trash can when not in use.
9. A natural method to keep mosquitos at bay is to planttulsinear your window. The plant has properties that do not allow mosquitoes to breed.
10. Using camphor as a repellant also works wonders. Light camphor in a room and close all the doors and windows. Leave it this way for about fifteen to twenty minutes to have a mosquito free environment.

Dengue is a completely preventable condition; all you have to do is take a few steps to keep yourself and your family safe. Read more..

Source: DNA