Internal Medicine

Dengue Fever Can Be Devastating

Dengue Fever Can Be Devastating Apr 11, 2014

Dengue is caused after the bite of a specific type of mosquito which preferentially attacks during the day. The usual Signs and Symptoms are: High fever (3-7 days). Intense headache. Painful joints and muscles. Pain behind eyes. Often a rash which may appear as fever reduces. Dangerous complications that can occur are hemorrhagic or shock syndrome. Dengue Fever Treatment: No specific treatment – no curative drug is available. Take complete rest Drink plenty of fluids orally Use paracetamol only Do not use aspirin (salicyclic acid), ibuprofen or nimesulide to bring down fever. Closely WATCH for bleeding from any site Rush to hospital:

if fever is high grade and not settling
persisting vomiting or severe abdominal pain
immense lethargy or restlessness
or if any of the following signs appear
1. Blood spots under the skin (petechiae).
2. Bleeding from gums.
3. Nose bleeding (epistaxis).
4. Vomiting blood (hematemesis)
5. low Blood Pressure
Alarming Laboratory parameters include
1. Increase in HCT concurrent with rapid decrease in platelet count
Co-existing conditions
1. Pregnancy
2. Diabetes mellitus, hypertension,
3. Peptic ulcer, haemolitic anemias and others

Prevention by using a combination of following measures:

Effective Mosquito Control by not allowing water to stagnate anywhere around
Wear full sleeve clothes
Use of Mosquito repellant creams when outdoors during daytime.
Get Flywire/screening fixed on doors and windows.
Use insecticides regularly especially in the morning hours – behind & underneath the furniture, curtains etc.