Viral Fever can Decrease Platelets Count

Viral fevers can temporarily decrease platelet count, leading to a condition called thrombocytopenia. This can happen as the body's immune system responds to the virus and attacks infected cells, sometimes also affecting healthy platelets. The decrease in platelet count usually returns to normal after the fever subsides, but in severe cases, it may require medical intervention.

Thrombocytopenia is a medical condition characterized by a low count of platelets in the blood. Platelets, also known as thrombocytes, are blood cells that play a crucial role in blood clotting and stopping bleeding. When the number of platelets is too low, this can increase the risk of spontaneous bleeding, bruising, and bleeding from the gums or nose.

Thrombocytopenia can be caused by a variety of factors, including viral infections, medications, bone marrow disorders, and certain autoimmune diseases. The severity of the condition can vary, from mild cases with few symptoms to life-threatening cases with severe bleeding. Treatment for thrombocytopenia depends on the underlying cause and may include medication, blood transfusions, or in severe cases, a bone marrow transplant.

Thrombocytopenia can occur as a result of a viral infection in several ways:

1. Immune-mediated destruction: The body's immune system can attack and destroy platelets, leading to a decrease in platelet count. This can occur as part of the body's response to the virus, and the destruction of platelets is a side effect of the immune response. Following viruses can cause immune-mediated destruction of platelets.
   • Dengue virus
   • Hepatitis C virus
   • Epstein-Barr virus
   • Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
   • Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
2. Suppression of bone marrow production: The bone marrow is responsible for producing platelets, and some viruses can suppress its ability to produce platelets, leading to a decrease in platelet count. Following viruses can cause suppression of bone marrow production.
   • Parvovirus B19
   • HIV
   • Epstein-Barr virus
   • Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
3. Direct viral infection of platelets: Some viruses can directly infect and destroy platelets, leading to a decrease in platelet count. Following viruses can cause direct viral infection of platelets.
   • Hantavirus
   • Yellow fever virus
   • Ebola virus

It's important to note that thrombocytopenia due to a viral infection is usually temporary, and the platelet count usually returns to normal once the infection has been treated or the body has recovered from the virus. This list of viruses is not exhaustive and other viruses not listed here can also cause thrombocytopenia. Additionally, not all individuals infected with these viruses will develop thrombocytopenia, but it can occur in some cases as a result of the body's response to the virus.

Decreased Platelets due to COVID-19

Thrombocytopenia has been reported in a significant proportion of COVID-19 patients, although the exact frequency is not known. The mechanism by which COVID-19 causes thrombocytopenia is not fully understood, but it is believed to be related to the body's immune response to the virus. In some cases, the decrease in platelet count may be mild and temporary, while in others, it may be more severe and long-lasting.

Reference:

• https://www.who.int/health-topics/thrombocytopenia#causes
• https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/thrombocytopenia/symptoms-causes/syc-20351886
• https://medlineplus.gov/thrombocytopenia.html
• https://www.hematology.org/patient-care/services/patient-resources/what-is-thrombocytopenia