Risk of infections

Hi folks

My partner recently discovered he had low platelets - been in decline for a year but only picked up when he had a recent, regular blood test and platelets had dropped to 40. So we are new to all of this, and as yet ITP isn't confirmed, but seen to be likely. He has diabetes (1) and so this complicates things a little with treatments - prednisone is tricky for him. He's been put on Imuran (though from what I can tell this is a horrible drug?).

My very basic, main question is this: is my partner at risk of infection as a result of him having low platelet count (currently somewhere between 30 and 46 - seems to be fluctuating).

Since all of this has been happening I've ended up with a horrid chest infection. I'm worried, as is he, that I'm a risk to him - his condition will be worsened if he were to get what I have. This is such an intense time for us with everything so new, and I am having to keep my distance as we are both fearful what might happen if he becomes sick with a virus or infection. He needs support but we are worried I could make him sicker. Can anyone answer this question?

Thanks for your consideration.

It seems to me like they are jumping the gun a little bit on this. While a count of 40,000 is unquestionably low, it isn't always extremely serious either. Platelet counts fluctuate many times throughout the day even in normal people. The tests only give a ballpark figure, sort of like the margin of error in a poll so technically a count of 36000 can be virtually identical to a count of 40,000. What's more important is what kind of symptoms you are having, such as easy bruising and clot times. Some people live with counts that low and have virtually no problems and their condition isn't even serious. If I were the doctor I wouldn't have even prescribed Imuran at this point unless he was having long clot times. In fact, it is ridiculous to prescribe Imuran without even being officially diagnosed with ITP. Having low platelets by itself doesn't really make you more susceptible to infections. They are two completely different things. However, some of the treatments, such as Imuran, can make you more susceptible to infections. Right now I question the care they have received. It's also very possible that a med they are taking or some other environmental factor is causing the lower counts and if you were to figure out what that was and stop it, the counts could return to the normal range. You might want to check out a list of the meds on this website that can lower platelet counts.

Having ITP or low platelets does not cause a greater risk of infections at all. ITP is a problem with the immune system malfunctioning and being a bit overactive. His counts are also not really that low....what was the count when he began treatment?

Imuran can cause the immune system to be susceptible to illnesses, however, that does not mean that he will catch everything that he comes in contact with. It also can take some time being on the drug before the immune system is affected....it doesn't happen right away. I've been on Imuran and really didn't get sick any more often than I did before I was on it. He should take normal precautions like hand washing, but that should always be done during cold and flu season.

Platelets can drop if one becomes sick, but they may not. Sometimes an antibiotic take also cause counts to drop, or not. You never know what ITP will do. We have seen people who have had counts go up during an infection or while taking an antibiotic. It's unpredictable.

Think an increase infections would maybe happen if say on an immunosuppresant. but itp itself. No. I work with kids and I picked up three viruses in a row which led to my platelets going doWn I think. Every episode has been followed by a certain cold(not every cold)