Suggest Remedy For Persistent Fever And Vomiting

Posted on Tue, 17 Nov 2015

Question: hi my sister is suffering from fever and vomiting since a week... checked with doctor and he told that it is due to viral infection... today we checked with another doctor as she still didn't recover fully this doctor preferred for platelet test and found it to be less in count her platelet is 0.80... then she was advised to be admitted in hospital... can u pls tell what is the exact problem...

Answered by Dr. Noble Zachariah (35 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
She has low platelets and it is better to be under observation

Detailed Answer:
Hello xxxxxxx,

Welcome and thanks for your query
Appreciate your concern for your sister.
Certain viral fevers like Dengue can drop the platelet count which is normally above 150,000/ cumm. Since your sister's has come down to 80,000/ cu.mm , there is risk of bleeding as adequate platelet count and function are important.
The doctor would have advised admission to keep her under observation. If she has any bleeding from any site she would require to be given platelet rich plasma infusion to control the bleeding. Also the doctor may use corticosteroids and other medicines.
In the normal course of events, the low platelet count lasts only a few days and most people make an uneventful recovery. But it is better to be cautious and follow the doctor's advice.
Wish her a quick and uneventful recovery.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Noble Zachariah (9 hours later)

thanks for detailed explanation. Just want to know whether this will be contagious because I have a plan to leave my 14 months baby boy with my parents and sister for few months.

Answered by Dr. Noble Zachariah (25 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Can be infected through mosquito bite

Detailed Answer:
Dengue spreads through mosquito bites. Until your sister is cured of the illness, it can spread to others around her if preventive measures are not taken.
Take Care,

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Noble Zachariah (16 minutes later)

My sister is now admitted in hospital and given trips. Fever has come down. How long will recovery take and will it be safe if leave by kid after 10 days.

Answered by Dr. Noble Zachariah (18 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Take precautions to prevent mosquito bite

Detailed Answer:
She would be discharged when her platelet count becomes normal.
Since that area has dengue virus, it is important that you take adequate precautions so that your child is not bitten by mosquitoes. He can get infected from another person in the locality.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Noble Zachariah (1 hour later)

Fever has come down for my sister and most likely she will be discharged today evening. Just for confirmation is it sure that its dengue or any other viral fever.

Answered by Dr. Noble Zachariah (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Such low platelet counts are usual in common viral fever

Detailed Answer:
Was the platelet count repeated. If it is low, the commonest viral infection to produce such low platelet count is Dengue fever.
Confirmation is possible through viral studies.

Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar