Following a covered vaccine, we help people who have suffered a blood disorder called thrombocytopenic purpura. The condition is also called immune thrombocytopenic purpura, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, or ITP. ITP is an autoimmune disease that causes a low blood platelet count which affects clotting and can result in internal bleeding and external bleeding underneath or from the skin. Besides abnormally low platelet counts, signs of ITP include:
Purple bruises called purpura (PURR-purr-ah) on the skin or mucous membranes of the mouth Tiny red or purple dots on the skin, called petechiae (peh-TEE-kee-ay), which may look like a rash Nosebleeds Bleeding from the gums during dental work or other bleeding that is hard to stop
These symptoms often lead persons to seek medical attention, leading to testing and diagnosis of ITP.
