Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura

Alternate Names : Autoimmune Thrombocytopenia, ITP

What are the signs and symptoms of the disease?

Usually there are no signs or symptoms of ITP until the platelet count becomes quite low. The viral infection that precedes some cases of ITP may be an ordinary one, even a simple upper respiratory infection.

If the platelet count falls to an extremely low level, spontaneous bleeding may occur. This bleeding may occur at any site in the body. Usually it starts as easy bruising and bleeding from the gums. A more severe form is gastrointernal bleeding, which can occur in the vital organs in the stomach area. Intracerebral hemorrhage, or bleeding into the brain, can cause a stroke.