Management of thrombocytopenia and flu-like symptoms in dengue patients with herbal water of Euphorbia hirta.

BACKGROUND Incidence of dengue increased 30 fold between 1960 and 2010. This increase is believed 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.