How do u get itp

In most adults, ITP lasts much longer than it does in children. At the time of diagnosis, many adults have noticed symptoms for several weeks or months. At the same time, many adults have only mild thrombocytopenia. Some have no bleeding symptoms at all. The cause of ITP is not known. People who have ITP form antibodies that destroy their blood platelets. Normally, antibodies are a healthy response. They attack and destroy bacteria or viruses. There are 2 types of ITP—acute short-term and chronic long-term.

Acute ITP mainly affects children. They often get the condition after a viral illness, such as the flu. The usual age for a child getting ITP is 2 to 4 years of age.

Chronic ITP typically affects adults. Most adults with ITP are young women, but it can occur in anyone. ITP does not seem to be hereditary run in families.

Your doctor will ask you questions about your health. He or she will do a physical exam. They may take a blood sample for testing. The test counts blood cells and platelets. Or they may look at the sample under a microscope.

Your doctor may also want you to get a bone marrow exam. This can help rule out other possible causes of your symptoms. Many adults find out they have ITP by accident. Their blood is checked for another reason and a low blood platelet count is found. Mild cases of ITP may not require treatment, just regular monitoring of platelet levels.

More serious cases will require treatment. Treatment of ITP in adults does not cure the disease. It is aimed at increasing the blood platelet count. Your doctor may recommend that you take prednisone for several weeks or months. Any head trauma that occurs when there are not enough platelets to stop the bleeding can be life threatening.

Your child's doctor may also perform the following diagnostic procedures: A complete blood count CBC , which measures the size, number, and maturity of different blood cells in a specific volume of blood to measure platelets. Additional blood and urine tests, which measure bleeding time and detect possible infections Careful review of the child's medications A bone marrow aspiration may be performed to look at your child's production of platelets and to rule out any abnormal cells your child's bone marrow could be producing that could lower platelet counts.

Specific treatment for ITP will be determined by your child's physician based on: Your child's age, overall health and medical history Type of disorder acute versus chronic Severity and extent of the disorder Your child's tolerance for specific medications, procedures or therapies Expectations for the course of the disease Your opinion or preference Not all children with ITP require treatment.

When treatment is necessary, the two most common forms of treatment are: Steroids, which help prevent bleeding by decreasing the rate of platelet destruction. Steroids, if effective, will result in an increase in platelet counts seen within two to three weeks. Side effects may include irritability, stomach irritation, weight gain, hypertension and acne. Intravenous gamma globulin IVGG , a protein that contains many antibodies and also slows the destruction of platelets.

IVGG works more quickly than steroids within 24 to 48 hours. Other treatments for ITP may include: Rh immune globulin — This medication temporarily stops the spleen from destroying platelets. Your child must be Rh positive and have a spleen for this medication to be effective. Medication changes — If it is a medication is the suspected cause of your child's ITP, discontinuation or changing the medication may be necessary.

Infection treatment — If infection is the cause for ITP, then treatment of the infection may result in higher platelet counts. Splenectomy — In some cases , the child's spleen may need to be removed since this is the site of platelet destruction.

This is considered more often in older children with chronic ITP to decrease the rate of platelet destruction. Hormone therapy — Teenage girls may need to take hormones to stop their menstrual cycle when their platelets are low if excessive bleeding occurs. Consider the following: For the young child, make the environment as safe as possible. Padding a crib, wearing helmets, and providing protective clothing are necessary when platelet counts are low. Contact sports, riding bicycles and rough play may need to be restricted.

Avoid medications which contain aspirin, as they may interfere with the body's ability to control bleeding. Next Steps Contact Us. This content does not have an English version.

This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Immune thrombocytopenia ITP is a disorder that can lead to easy or excessive bruising and bleeding.

Petechiae Open pop-up dialog box Close. Petechiae Petechiae may look like a rash and usually appear in clusters. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. ITP in children: How can I protect my child from complications?

Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Immune thrombocytopenia. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Accessed Feb. Ferri FF. They can also have a purplish tinge. If you notice petechiae or any unusual rash, see a healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment. Bruises are the result of injuries that cause capillaries to break just underneath the surface of the skin. Blood comes out of these broken capillaries, forming a pool.

This creates black-and-blue bruises. Bruises become yellow and fade over time as the blood reabsorbs into the body. You might even wake up with bruises, or get new bruises without having been hurt. Sometimes bruising easily is a symptom of ITP. Low levels of blood platelets can make it more difficult for your blood to clot, causing the skin to bruise even after a minimal injury.

Bruises from ITP are called purpura. They can even appear inside your mouth. But ITP can affect this delicate skin too. According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute , gum bleeding from ITP may occur during dental work, like a routine teeth cleaning or other dental procedures. You may attribute this bleeding to gingivitis gum inflammation instead of an ITP symptom. At your cleanings, your dentist may also notice bruises inside your mouth.

Nosebleeds epistaxis occur when the delicate skin inside your nose bleeds. Nosebleeds can be relatively common and have a variety of causes, including:.