What are the Warning Signs and Symptoms of ITP?

By leahdurantlaw on February 22, 2020 • ( 0 )

Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is a bleeding disorder that has been linked to the vaccine for measles, mumps and rubella (MMR). This link has been acknowledged by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which reports that, “[t]he risk of ITP has been shown to be increased in the six weeks following an MMR vaccination, with one study estimating 1 case per 40,000 vaccinated children.”

Due to the well-established link between the MMR vaccine and idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, ITP is listed as an “on-table” injury under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP). This means that individuals who are diagnosed with ITP (and parents of children who are diagnosed with ITP) can recover no-fault financial compensation under the VICP as long as their (or their child’s) initial symptoms onset within seven to 30 days of immunization.

What are the Primary Symptoms of ITP?

Since idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura limits the body’s ability to clot blood normally, ITP’s primary symptoms all relate to abnormal bleeding and blood flow. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM), common symptoms of ITP include:

“Abnormally heavy periods in women;
“Bleeding into the skin, often around the shins, causing a skin rash that looks like pinpoint red spots (petechial rash);
“Easy bruising; [and,]
“Nosebleed or bleeding in the mouth.”

The Mayo Clinic and Johns Hopkins Medicine report that additional symptoms may include:

Blood in urine or stool;
Blood in vomit; and,
Bleeding in the head (which Johns Hopkins Medicine indicates, “is the most dangerous symptom of ITP”).

How is ITP Diagnosed?

According to the NLM, there are two primary tests that are used to diagnose idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. These are:

Blood tests to determine the patient’s platelet count (ITP reduces the platelet count in the blood); and,
Bone marrow aspiration or biopsy (a sample of the patient’s bone marrow is examined to determine how well the body is forming blood cells).

Since “ITP affects women more often than men . . . [and is] more common in children than adults,” these are factors that may help inform a physician’s diagnosis as well.

What Should I Do if I (or My Child) has Received an ITP Diagnosis Following an MMR Vaccination?

MMR vaccine recipients and parents of children who have been diagnosed with ITP following an MMR vaccination should consult with a lawyer about filing a claim under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. The VICP provides financial compensation for ITP-related medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering, and you can hire a vaccine injury lawyer to handle your VICP claim at little or no out-of-pocket cost.

Learn more: Should You File a Claim Under the VICP?

Discuss Your (or Your Child’s) ITP Diagnosis with Vaccine Injury Lawyer Leah V. Durant

To speak with vaccine injury lawyer Leah V. Durant about filing a claim under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, please call 202-800-1711 or contact us online. Your initial consultation is completely free, and the VICP pays claimants’ legal fees separately from their awards of financial compensation.

Leah Durant Bio

Experienced litigation attorney Leah Durant focuses on representing clients in complex vaccine litigation matters. Leah Durant is the owner and principal attorney of the Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC, a litigation firm based in Washington, DC. Leah Durant and her staff represent clients and their families who suffer from vaccine-related injuries, adverse vaccine reactions and vaccine-related deaths. The Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC is dedicated to assisting individuals in recovering the highest level of compensation as quickly and efficiently as possible. To learn more, contact vaccine attorney Leah Durant today.