What Causes Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic
Purpura?
In most cases, its believed that the
bodys immune system causes idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP).
Normally, the immune system makes antibodies to fight off germs or other
harmful things that enter the body. In ITP, however, the immune system treats
your own platelets as if they were invaders in the body, attacking and
destroying them.
The reason why the immune system decides to attack
its own platelets isnt known.
Children who get the acute (temporary) type of ITP
often have had a recent viral infection. Its possible that the infection
somehow "triggers" or sets off the immune reaction that leads to ITP in these
children. ITP in adults, on the other hand, doesnt seem to be linked to
infections.
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