A patient came to the clinic yesterday complaining of abdominal pain and body malaise. No fever, no vomiting, no loose bowel movement. On examination I did not find any abnormal findings in him. But I suggested for a complete blood count and urinalysis to rule out the possibility of Acute Appendicitis or gall bladder stone. Ultrasound was out of the question because our laboratory does not do it late in the afternoon. I also suggested for him to be admitted if the abdominal pain is not relieved by the anti-spasmodic that I prescribed.
Late in the evening, he cannot bear the abdominal pain any longer and begged to be admitted in the hospital. I was informed by my resident of his admission and workups were done on STAT.
This morning. lo and behold, his complete blood count revealed a very low platelet count of 27 ( normal of 120) indicative of Dengue without fever. I could not think of any other disease that could bring his platelet so low and yet there are no physical findings. In other patients, platelet this low warrants blood transfusion of platelet concentrate. but there was no sign of impending bleeding like petechiae ( red spots in the mouth or extremities). TO BE CONCLUDED
Late in the evening, he cannot bear the abdominal pain any longer and begged to be admitted in the hospital. I was informed by my resident of his admission and workups were done on STAT.
This morning. lo and behold, his complete blood count revealed a very low platelet count of 27 ( normal of 120) indicative of Dengue without fever. I could not think of any other disease that could bring his platelet so low and yet there are no physical findings. In other patients, platelet this low warrants blood transfusion of platelet concentrate. but there was no sign of impending bleeding like petechiae ( red spots in the mouth or extremities). TO BE CONCLUDED
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