“What is the platelet count for which a dengue test is recommended?”
My daughter has had a continuous fever, so we got her CBC test done. Her doctor said that her platelet count is normal so there is no need for a dengue test. What is the platelet count for which a dengue test is recommended?
3 Answers
Normal platelet count is from 150,000 to 250,000. Platelet count can go as low as 40,000 to 20,000 in dengue. People having dengue fever show a decline in their platelet count at a rapid pace and therefore suffer from a condition called Thrombocytopenia (low platelet count). Dengue causes flu-like symptoms and lasts for 2 – 7 days. Dengue fever occurs after an incubation period of 4 – 10 days after the bite of the infected mosquito. Thank you.
The lower limit for normal is 150 X10(9)/liter or 150 millions per milliliter of blood. Usually, levels lower than the normal value raise a suspicion, especially when associated with a febrile illness. The normal practice is to follow the platelet count over a period of days and, if the count keeps falling, then it is suggestive of Dengue.
Dengue fever is one of the so-called "hemorrhagic fevers" caused by a virus. The platelet count, as well as the white cell (WBC) count, are often reduced in a CBC test result, but are not specific. Testing for evidence of Dengue virus infection is one of the tests considered for patients that have appropriate epidemiological history, signs, and symptoms, as well as preliminary laboratory tests that suggest the possibility of such an infection.
