Dengue Danger: Keep yourself protected

Main symptoms include high fever, rash, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle pain and joint pain

New Delhi, August 02, 2018 : The onset of monsoon has brought with it an increase in the number of dengue cases. A mosquito-borne disease, dengue fever is spread by the bite of infected Aedes mosquito. According to the WHO, there are 190 million cases of dengue reported worldwide, out of which 96 million cases require treatment. In India, there is 25% increase each year, mainly attributed to ineffective preventive steps to check mosquito breeding.

According to Dr. D S Chaddha, Director & HOD, Internal Medicine at Fortis Vasant Kunj-“Dengue results in high fever, rash, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle pain and joint pain. Nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite are common. A rash usually appears three to four days after the start of the fever. Patient sometimes gets a transient flushing pink colour on face with the glands in the neck and groin swelling up. Dengue illness can last up to 10 days, but complete recovery can take as long as a month. There is no specific treatment or vaccines for dengue. It is treated symptomatically. The principal aim is to control the temperature fluctuation, maintain hydration and provide relief from joint pain.”

Dr Rajeev Gupta, Senior Consultant, Fortis Hospital, Shalimar Bagh gives some useful information and tips below:

Why are some people more susceptible to Dengue?

They live in a high-risk zone which has dingy, unclean surroundings with stagnant water that encourages mosquito breeding
Some of them have been infected with dengue before
They have low immunity
Their platelet count is low

The common tests used in dengue diagnosis are:

Complete Blood Count
ELISA test for dengue NS1 Ag
PCR for detecting viral DNA
Serum IgG and IgM test

Suggested approach on Treatment:

Please seek medical advice immediately if common symptoms persist
Drink plenty of fluids
Symptomatic relief can be sought using NSAIDs (Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as paracetamol
since they can increase the risk of bleeding
Follow instructions of medical practitioners diligently
Do not take aspirin or ibuprofen

If Dengue fever progresses to dengue shock syndrome, look out for these symptoms:

Severe pain in the abdomen
Myalgia
Fluid accumulation in the liver
Hemorrhages
Nausea
Fluid accumulation in the chest
Headache

How to prevent dengue:

Make sure all egg-laying habitats of mosquitoes, such as open and stagnant water sources are cleaned up
If there are any open water sources you cannot eliminate, cover them and apply appropriate insecticides
Use protections such as window screens, long-sleeved clothes, insecticide-treated materials, coils, vaporizers and repellant creams to avoid being bitten by mosquitos
A person can suffer from dengue a second time if the viral strain is different from the initial infection. So ensure adequate protection