Miracle? Platelet count of Jehovah’s patient goes up

Miracle? Platelet count of Jehovah’s patient goes up

Over 400 dengue cases and 4 deaths reported in city this monsoon so far

Much to the relief of both doctors and her family, the 24-year-old woman belonging to the Jehovah’s Witnesses community, who is undergoing treatment for dengue at Bombay Hospital, saw a marginal rise in her platelet count on Sunday. The doctors had found themselves in a bind after her family warned them against doing a blood transfusion as their sect forbids it. Dr Mukesh Sanklecha, consultant physician of Mary (name changed), said, “Her platelet count has improved. Yesterday it was 50,000, today it is 56,000 (the normal range is 1.5-4 lakh per litre). We hope she’s stable in a day or two.” Doctors are monitoring her round the clock and ensuring that she doesn’t get any external or internal bleeding, a potential life-threatening complication of dengue. Mary was admitted on September 4 with high grade fever, low white blood cell (WBC) count and dipping platelet count of 1,13,000. Mumbai has officially recorded four dengue deaths and over 400 cases this monsoon. Doctors said most coming to them have low WBC and platelet counts because of which they have to be hospitalised. Dr Khusrav Bajan, consultant intensivist at PD Hinduja Hospital, said, “We are admitting eight to 10 cases of dengue every week. Low WBC count makes the chances of secondary infection and other complications high.” Dr Pratit Samdhani, consultant physician at Jaslok Hospital, said he has been advising his patients to take utmost care and use mosquito repellent and net, among other things. “We are seeing at least six cases of dengue daily. In South Mumbai, the disease has created a menace. Many patients have low pulse, low WBC and platelet counts and liver infection,” he said. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has been stressing on the need for citizens to be proactive and ensure there is no stagnant water in their homes and societies. Head of the civic epidemiology department Dr Mangala Gomare said, “The breeding spots of the Aedes mosquito, carrier of the dengue virus, are being found in mini-fountains, feng shui plants and miniature artificial ponds. Unlike locating the breeding sites of the female Anopheles mosquito that spreads malaria, it is difficult to find those of the Aedes mosquito as we have to visit homes for that.”