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Can HIV Patient Has Low Platelets Count?

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Posted on Tue, 24 Dec 2013
Question: If a person was hiv positive would their platelets count definitely be below normal levels.
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Answered by Dr. Manjeth Kumar G (1 hour later)
Brief Answer: Yes. Platelet count can be low in HIV patients. Detailed Answer: Hello, As you suspected, there can be low platelet count in HIV patients. Because 1. HIV can infect megakaryocytes ( cells that are converting into platelets), which means that HIV itself can cause this condition 2. Certain drugs used to treat HIV/AIDS that can damage the bone marrow (e.g., some nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors) and certain AIDS-related conditions (e.g., lymphoma and MAC), can result in decreased platelet production. 3. Antibodies produced by the immune system can target healthy platelets in the body (a condition called immune thrombocytopenic pupura [ITP])in HIV Patients. These antibodies are known as autoantibodies, as they are attacking the "self", and signal the spleen to destroy and remove the platelets from the body. But is essential to continue the treatment and frequent monitoring of platelet count and CD4 count as well other blood cells count. Hope this helps. Please write back for further queries. Wishing you good health.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
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Follow up: Dr. Manjeth Kumar G (19 minutes later)
If yourcount was 168 could you have hiv?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Manjeth Kumar G (9 hours later)
Brief Answer: Not necessary to have HIV. Detailed Answer: Hello, HIV infection affects CD4 count and platelets are least affected by HIV. So the count of 168 isn't due to HIV. Hope this helps. Please write back for further queries. Wishing you good health.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
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Answered by
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Dr. Manjeth Kumar G

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2010

Answered : 1120 Questions

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Can HIV Patient Has Low Platelets Count?

Brief Answer: Yes. Platelet count can be low in HIV patients. Detailed Answer: Hello, As you suspected, there can be low platelet count in HIV patients. Because 1. HIV can infect megakaryocytes ( cells that are converting into platelets), which means that HIV itself can cause this condition 2. Certain drugs used to treat HIV/AIDS that can damage the bone marrow (e.g., some nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors) and certain AIDS-related conditions (e.g., lymphoma and MAC), can result in decreased platelet production. 3. Antibodies produced by the immune system can target healthy platelets in the body (a condition called immune thrombocytopenic pupura [ITP])in HIV Patients. These antibodies are known as autoantibodies, as they are attacking the "self", and signal the spleen to destroy and remove the platelets from the body. But is essential to continue the treatment and frequent monitoring of platelet count and CD4 count as well other blood cells count. Hope this helps. Please write back for further queries. Wishing you good health.