All you need to know about Dengue

Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral infection causing severe flu-like illness. The root cause of Dengue is Flavivirus. Aedes aegypti mosquito is the main vector that transmits the viruses that cause dengue. The viruses are passed on to humans through the bites of an infective female Aedes mosquito, which mainly acquires the virus while feeding on the blood of an infected person.

New Delhi:We all are aware of Dengue fever. Every year when seasons change, such problems are on the rise. But the new concern is Dengue, which is posing a threat all through the year. About 3.3 crore people have been affected, of late, with this fever. More than 10 crore people are also affected without showing any symptoms.

Once, it used to afflict only kids and in towns. Now, it is posing a problem in all the areas, irrespective of age. Earlier, when the problem was acute, symptoms such as fall of platelets, thickening of the blood, bleeding were common. Now, even though such symptoms are not manifesting, it is creating serious problems by affecting the brain, heart, liver. It is also affecting eyes and joints. That is why people are concerned about it. In fact, for 98 % Dengue comes just as fever and disappears. Only in one per cent of the patients, it manifests as a serious disease. For the current situation, this category is the problem. With proper treatment and prior precautions from mosquito bites, we can escape this deadly disease. Moreover, inculcating awareness of Dengue fever is the need of the hour.

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Cause of Dengue fever:

The root cause of Dengue is Flavivirus. In this, there are four types – Dengue 1, Dengue 2, Dengue 3, Dengue 4. The fever spreads when female mosquito -- Aedes aegyptibites a person. There is a possibility of one getting Dengue 4 times in a lifetime. If a person gets a fever for a second time due to the other type of virus, it could turn to be very severe.

Dengue Fever Symptoms:

After the Aedes aegypti mosquito bites a person, Dengue infection may crop up in 3-14 days.

In the First Stage:

• Sudden rise in temperature
• Cracking headache
• Pain behind eyes
• Vomiting, nausea
• Body and joint pains
• Loss of appetite

In Critical Stage:

• Stomach pain, breathlessness
• Accumulation of fluids in the stomach or chest
• Repeated vomiting
• Blood leakage from places like gums
• Red spots on the skin
• Fall of blood pressure, unconsciousness
• Hands and feet getting cold
• Weakness and restlessness
• Irritation, drowsiness
• Liver enlargement
• Increase of haemoglobin in the body
• Rapid fall of platelet cell

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Treatment as per the situation:

Paracetamolis just enough for moderate fever. If there are no vomits, ORS liquid should be given. If there are symptoms like falling of platelet cells, thickening of the blood, tests such as hematocrit/packed cell volume, blood tests to know platelet cells should be got done periodically. If food cannot be taken orally or haemoglobin percentage increases or there is a drop in blood pressure, saline has to be infused. If anyone has a problem in breathing due to leakage of fluids into the lungs, ventilator has to be arranged. SS1 Antigen testand IgM antibody test has to be conducted to diagnose Dengue.

Recovery stage:

After the fever subsides, the number of platelet cells would increase within 3-5 days. Pulse rate, blood pressure, breathing will have to be normal. No vomiting, absence of stomach ache, increased appetite, free flow of urine, consistent haemoglobin levels are all indications of fever on the wane.

Dont's in Dengue fever:

• Pain relievers such as Brufen, Analgin, Diclofenac, Aspirin should not be used.
• Intramuscular injections should not be taken.
• Antibiotic, antiviral medicines should not be taken.
• Blood, platelets, saline should not be transfused when not warranted.
• Unnecessarily fruits and fruit juices should not be taken. With them Potassium levels go up in the blood and heartbeat can become erratic.

When Platelets are to be injected? For whom?

When the platelet count falls less than one lakh, the platelet injection should be done under a doctor’s supervision. In the case of platelets falling less than 20 thousand and blood leak symptoms appear, the patient has to supplement platelets. If it falls to 10 thousand, platelets have to be transfused.

PREVENTION is better than CURE:

• No water is stagnated around the house.
• Mosquito nets are used effectively.
• Full sleeves clothing used
• Mosquito repellent creams should be smeared on hands and legs.

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