MANAGEMENT OF THROMBOCYTOPENIA AND FLU-LIKE SYMPTOMS IN DENGUE PATIENTS WITH HERBAL WATER OF EUPHORBIA HIRTA
Abstract
Background: Incidence of dengue increased 30 fold between 1960 and 2010. This increase isbelieved to be due to a combination of urbanisation, population growth, increased international
travel, and global warming. We tried to find out the effect of herbal water of Tawa-tawa, also
called Euphorbia hirta, on the flu like symptoms and blood parameters especially on
thrombocytopenia. Methods: Total 125 patients with confirmed dengue fever admitted in medical
ward of Sir Ganga Ram Hospital Lahore were included in this experimental study. Duration of
study was 3 months. Patients were divided into 2 groups, i.e., group A (ages between 30 to 55
years) and group B (ages between 14 to 25 years). A blood sample was obtained on the day of
enrolment and after 24 hours of using Tawa-tawa. The variables used were platelet count,
haematocrit (HCT), WBC count, serum AST, ALT, IgM/IgG. Results: In men, platelet count was
<25,000 and in women, it was >50,000. Haematocrit were >40% in men and 30-40% in women.
TLC in a range of 4,000-11,000/mm3 was observed in both males and females. IgM
'˜haemagglutination' antibody titres (>1:160) was observed in 71.3% females and 50% males.
Serum AST was >40 IU/L in 38% females and 36% males. Serum ALT was >40 IU/L in 9.5%
females and 12% males. In both group A and B platelet count and TLC were increased nonsignificantly after herbal water of Euphorbia hirta (E. Hirta). Haematocrit value decreased nonsignificantly after using the herbal water. Over 70% of patients showed moderate increase in their
platelet count. However leucopoenia improved significantly after the use of aqueous extract of E.
hirta. A marked recovery in fever and flu like symptoms was observed. Conclusion: In over 70%
patients there was improvement in platelet count, TLC, fever, and flue-like symptoms.
Keywords: Dengue, Thrombocytopenia, Euphorbia hirta, Management
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