Pharmaceutical Review (www.pharmarev.com). Dr. Muhammad Ovais Omer; Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, faculty of bio-sciences, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan (Cell: 9+2-3334244780, Email: ovomer@gmail.com) has given important detail related to the dengue fever in English and Urdu languages as under;
The are two known treatments 1) Homoeopathic: Ledum 200 (5 drops in 1 sip of water, once a day) for prevention; Cantharis 30 (5 drops in 1 sip of water, thrice a day) for treatment and Allopathic: Paracetamol, Dextrose, Platelet therapy, Drinking water, Drink apple juice with lemon juice, Eat plum (aalo bukhara) fresh or dry, Drink papaya (Papeta) leaf juice, Drink kiwi fruit juice (Available at Metro).
What are platelets?
Platelets are the cellular component that stops bleeding.
Who needs platelets?
Patients with cancer or leukemia, transplant patients and people with blood disorders, such as aplastic anemia, benefit from platelet transfusions. During chemotherapy and radiation treatment, both cancer cells and platelets are destroyed. Many of these patients need platelet transfusions to prevent uncontrolled bleeding.
Why donate platelets?
Your healthy platelets can help a patient whose body needs help preventing severe bleeding or bruising because his or her own platelets are weakened or destroyed.
Is it safe to donate?
The apheresis kit in the cell-separating machine is sterile and is discarded after each donation. It is impossible to get AIDS or any viral disease by donating platelets. Each donation is closely supervised by trained staff who observe the donor throughout the process. The donation does not significantly decrease the number of platelets in the donor’s body, and the donated platelets are quickly replaced. Donors experience no bleeding problems.
Platelet Donation Procedure
Platelet donations are made through a process called apheresis
(ay-fur-EE’- sis). Blood is drawn from the donor’s arm and channeled through a sterile, disposable kit housed in a special cell-separating machine. The machine spins the blood to separate the platelets, then returns the red blood cells and plasma to the donor. The body can actually replace the amount of platelets donated in about 48 hours.
From registration to refreshments, donating platelets takes about two and a half hours. While you donate, you can relax and watch a movie, listen to music or visit with the LifeSource apheresis nursing staff.
How often can you donate platelets?
You can donate platelets every 7 days, up to 24 times a year. If you alternate between giving platelets and donating whole blood or plasma, the waiting time varies. Ask a LifeSource staff member about these requirements or call the LifeSource Apheresis Department at
1-877-LIFESOURCE.
Platelet Donor Qualifications
The qualifications for platelet donors are similar to those for regular blood donations. You must:
- Be at least 17 years old
- Weigh at least 110 pounds
- Be in generally good health
- Not have taken aspirin 48 hours prior or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) 12 hours prior to your scheduled donation time.
You are not eligible to donate platelets if you are nursing.