The season for Vector Borne Diseases is at its peak. A rise in cases is seen from September to November every year. Dengue is a viral disease which spreads in the community by the bite of infected female Aedes aegypti mosquito. This is a self-limiting disease.
Common Symptoms of Dengue: –
• Abrupt onset of high fever, severe bodyache (break bone fever).
• Severe frontal headache.
• Pain behind the eyes which worsens with eye movements.
• Muscle and joint pains.
• Loss of sense of taste and appetite.
• Measles-like rash over chest and upper limbs.
Symptoms of Severe Dengue: –
• Frequent vomiting with or without blood.
• Bleeding from nose, mouth & gums and skin rashes.
• Sleepiness and restlessness.
• Patient feels thirsty and mouth becomes dry.
• Rapid weak pulse.
• Difficulty in breathing.
Treatment
There is no specific treatment available as such, therefore symptomatic treatment and case management is the only way.
• Don’t panic as dengue is a self-limiting disease but one must remain watchful and alert.
• Patient should be given lots of fluid and a nutritious diet.
• The patient should be advised to take complete bed rest under mosquito net to prevent further transmission of the disease.
• In any fever in the Dengue season avoid taking Aspirin and Brufen tablets. Paracetamol tablets are recommended for fever and bodyache.
• One may monitor fever, blood pressure and pulse in home settings wherever possible.
In case of fever, one must report to the nearest health facility and get tested for Dengue.
Remember Dengue ELISA test (Ns1/IgM) is the recommended confirmatory test for dengue as per government of India. Rapid (Card) Tests are not recommended and may give unreliable results.
Free dengue testing facilities are available at PGIMER Department of Virology, GMCH-32 Department of Microbiology, GMSH-16 Department of Microbiology, CH-Manimajra, CH-22 and CH- 45.
In case of severe dengue symptoms immediate hospitalization is advised for correction of electrolyte and metabolic disturbances and other related complications. In dengue there is usually a fall in platelets. One must not panic and get serial estimation of platelets done and be watchful for any bleeding from the gums, nose or in the stools. Hospitalization may be considered if there is a sudden and considerable fall in platelets.
