Increased infections during 5 yrs before ITP

A large cohort study soon to be published shows that ITP patients had a roughly 9-fold increase in likelihood of having had infections requiring treatment, during the 5 years prior to ITP diagnosis, compared to non-ITP subjects. The infections observed were primarily candidiasis and virus infections. Treatments were disproportionately amoxicillin, macrolides, nitrofurantoin and antivirals.

One possible explanation for this is that ITP patients have a higher susceptibility to infection, even before the onset of ITP, implying an impaired immune system.

Another possible explanation is that the infections, or the medications used to treat them, are the cause of the ITP.

Increased susceptibility to infections before the diagnosis of immune thrombocytopenia
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jth.13267/abstract

An interesting theory

A similar correlation has been found in the onset of type-1 diabetes, and one book on the subject suggested that antibiotics may disrupt microbiome function, which in turn dysregulates immune function and in susceptible people leads to the onset of the disorder.

I'd go with the second theory.

"Another possible explanation is that the infections, or the medications used to treat them, are the cause of the ITP."

I was rarely ever sick before ITP. I had bad colds once or twice a year, but that's it. The colds have actually lessened since I was diagnosed. Since I've been on immunosuppressants the past 10 years though, I get sick constantly, mostly bronchitis or pneumonia.

I find this very interesting. I would get sick with a child once or twice a year before ITP. Since ITP, I feel like I get every little thing. And I get it the worst or of everyone in our family. Granted, I now have young kids who breed germs, and that could play a role. But I've worked with children for over 15 years and have never been sick like I have this year and last.

Right now I have a bad sinus infection. My first ever. I'm miserable. I've had a fever for days. Started antibiotics yesterday after finally giving in. I am of course worried about my platelets, but I need relief.

Is it common for many people to get more illnesses after their diagnosis of ITP? I've never been treated for it, so I know it's not due to medications for it.

No, I don't think it's common. Theoretically, it shouldn't cause more illness unless immunosuppressants are involved.

well maybe I do everything the hard way but I was hospitalized twice last year and on antibiotics three additional times for UTI. The hospitalization was for kidney failure. ITP didn't return until two weeks ago.

I tend to get stuff easily and more severely but don't take immunosuppressant but for ITP and 4 days in July for a bad gout flair.

Am ready to stay out of hospital a while.