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| It can occur secondary to leukemia, in which the stem cells that yield white blood cells proliferate and crowd out the stem cells that produce platelets and red blood cells (yielding high white cell count and low RBC and platelet counts). Some chronic diseases that affect the immune system - such as HIV, hepatitis C or systemic lupus - may yield a combination of inhibited platelet production and shortened time that platelets persist in the blood, resulting in ITP. For instance, one case of ITP occurs for about every 3000 rubella infections. Conventional Treatment Treatment is often aimed at inhibiting the immune system with corticosteroids such as prednisone. Note that after the spleen has been removed and the platelet levels elevated, the liver can take over the removal function and the platelet count can drop again. |
| Herbal Combinations Vitamin E |