Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Maternal (Expert Forum)
redblood cell count and viruses
Patient medical question and answer from The Maternal and Child Health Forum. Health topic area and articles about newborn care
redblood cell count and viruses
by Judy__0, Apr 29, 1999 12:00AM
Posted by Judy on April 29, 1999 at 10:30:19
My son had a virus and was hospitalized for dehydration. The next day he had seizures and had such a low red blood cell count that he was given 3 blood transfusions. The doctors said that the virus had something to do with his rbs's dropping. How can this be possible?
Posted by hfhs.m.d.l.m on April 29, 1999 at 23:23:14
Dear Judy ;
Certain viruses have the capability of suppressing or arresting the red cell line production in the bone marrow , such as the parvovirus responsible for "erythema infectiousum " or slapped cheeks syndrome , characterized by a high fever , flushed cheeks and febrile seizures .Other occasions , the body's immune system produces antibodies against a specific virus that may recognize the red cells as foreign cells , bind to them and destroy them as in the hemolytic anemia of infectious mononucleosis caused by the ( EBV ).
Three transfusions is quite significant . Viral infections don't tend to produce remarkable anemia . Hemoglobin levels may decrease from 10-12 down to 7-9 gm/dl unless there was underlying blood loss , underlying low red cell count or hemolytic disorder such as sickle cell anemia .
Thank you for your question
Disclaimer : this information is intended for educational purposes only .
Keywords : Parvovirus B19 infections , anemia
