Coronavirus

[Lynwoodley]

Does anybody know if coronavirus will affect people with ITP more than people who don’t have ITP.

[Anthonyh7]

Definitely it will lower the platelet count and we are a very vulnerable group for sure. Any virus, cold, flu, infection, etc will have a negative impact on platelet count.

As our immune system works extra hard to fight off any such infections, viruses etc it is using energy that it otherwise would to produce platelets. So inevitably the platelet count will fall.

So With ITP and any auto immune illness, YES we are more vulnerable and even more so especially if we are being treated with any of the immune suppressing drugs like Steroids/Prednisolone, Azathioprine, Rituximab or Mycophenolate Mofetil which all weaken the immune system. Or also if your spleen has been remove to treat your ITP.....

itpsupport.org.uk/index.php...

So extra care is required with any virus, infection, etc let alone one as virulent and dangerous as Corona Virus

The following link from the ITP Support Association is also very helpful on Corona Virus -

itpsupport.org.uk/index.php...

Hope this helps but the message for ITP folk like us is TAKE GREAT CARE and especially if like me you are on immune suppressing drugs it is a double whammy !

[Lynwoodley in reply to Anthonyh7]

Hi I am not on any medication and my count averages about 42 - 50. I also find that when I get a cold, infections or am not well my platelets go up, my body seems to leave my platelets alone and fights any infection I may have . Does anybody else find this

[Anthonyh7 in reply to Lynwoodley]

I have heard of that happening with some people BUT as ever with ITP - NOTHING IS CERTAIN or DEFINITE. What may have happened in the past may not happen again.

I was at a platelet count of 132 in mid Jan and 2 weeks later I was at 8. I had been over a count of 100 for 4 years and up to 150-200 most of that time (on Mycophenolate Mofetil and still am but at a bit higher dosage now).

I think I may have caught cold or bug in late Dec/Jan but we are still not really sure. ITP is a complete enigma for sure.

We are very much in the higher risk group so we must be extra vigilant even if not on immune suppressing drugs.

The overall message is .....

Take Great Care

[RobertSp in reply to Lynwoodley]

I too have experienced my platelet count rise when I have a cold or flu. As said below, different people react in different ways. This occurs to the extent that it is very likely that more than one disorder can be diagnosed as ITP

[sunilleo in reply to Anthonyh7]

On the contrary, the logic is simple. If we note, our immune system is overactive to the extent that it starts chewing platelets. The medicines that we take simply lower are immune system. Now, if there is any invasion of any virus, our immune system will focus on fighting the foreign invasion and in this case the platelet count is bound to rise.

[Lynwoodley in reply to sunilleo]

Hi that’s exactly what happens to me every time I get a virus my body starts fighting the infection and my platelets go up

[Anthonyh7 in reply to sunilleo]

Thanks for that sunilleo albeit......

Sadly it is not quite that simple and everyone is different in the responses they get and how their immune systems work/react.

Another factor is that some people with ITP have issues with platelet production as well as /or instead of destruction so there is a huge amount to consider, including of course any other medical issues/drugs that the patient is dealing with.

Some ITP patients are NOT on immune suppressing drugs at all and are on drugs which stimulate platelet production eg - Eltrombopag. For some iITP folk, immune suppressing drugs do not work at all.

So sadly it is complicated....

Simple message is TAKE CARE and of course if in doubt consult your specialist /medical professional.

The following link may be useful -

itpsupport.org.uk/index.php...

[sunilleo in reply to Anthonyh7]

If the Platelet production is less, then it is not ITP. There could be other reasons for less production of Platelets, but certainly not ITP. In case of ITP, all other factors are normal i.e. Platelet production, WBC Poduction. In ITP, for no reason the Platelets get destroyed and the reason is unknown to medical science. The only probability is that WBCs start attacking the Platelets. In a normal body, WBCs and Platelets have a very harmonious relation, They co-exist. Where as in person who has this condition of ITP, the WBCs are in a confused state and treat Platelets as their enemy and start attacking the Paltelets.

[Anthonyh7 in reply to sunilleo]

Thanks for that sunilleo, very interesting...

I think the main message is TAKE CARE and if in doubt consult your ITP specialist/doctor/medical professional. It is always best to be sure.

I was just pointing out that people are all different, we all have very different issues, problems, medical histories, drug regimes etc etc. Some people have both platelet production issues and platelet destruction issues.

Many ITP folk have other auto immune issues/illnesses at the same time as their ITP too of course.

Extra complications come too for those who have had their spleen removed.

ITP is very very complicated indeed, as are so many auto immune illnesses of which of course there are over 80.

Best wishes

[NickyD in reply to Anthonyh7]

I am on mycophenolate and i have also had my spleen removed. Any cold or flu reduces my platelets considerably so i am very concerned about Coronavirus. As you say, Anthony, we are all different.

[Julie8787]

There is actually a medicine from Japan called cepharanthine that is used to treat ITP and has been shown to elevate platelet counts that is now also being researched in the prevention and treatment of coronavirus as well

[Metalgod]

Yes as every virus kills platelets in the body so should be careful and in the shielded group obviously ask your doctor who is dealing with your treatment for more advice