Dengue fever Archives

August 20, 2019 By Dr. Viral Thakkar 1 Comment

Don’t Be Bitten! Fight the Mosquito Bite!

Betaab, a 12 year old, cheerful and active boy loved playing with his friends in the evening. One fine day, he caught a fever with chills. His parents thought it was mere fever due to overexertion. However, soon the fever spiked, and he had to rush to the emergency department at the hospital. His condition was serious. He was suffering from dengue, with an extremely low platelet count.

There are numerous such cases where fever conditions are ignored, especially post monsoons. Many of us think that mosquito borne diseases will go away after the rains! This is not true. Mosquitoes breed in clean, stagnant waters.

That little flying mosquito at houses, in the parks seem harmless, but a few species from these are considered to be extremely harmful. Areas with hot & humid climatic conditions are worse affected by mosquitoes since it provides the apt atmosphere for breeding.

While it’s impossible to identify mosquitoes and their breed with naked eyes, it is best to know they can be dangerous! Having these creatures in and around your vicinity can be dangerous for your health as well.

Diseases & Symptoms

Dengue: Its symptoms include high fever, rashes, headache, muscle and joint ache as well as serious bleeding in certain cases.
Chikungunya: The symptoms of this disease include fever, joint pain initially followed by muscle pain, headaches, fatigue and even a rash.
Malaria: is a life threatening disease that plagues 219 million people in 87 different countries every year. Symptoms are first seen a couple of weeks after the bite, and they include chilling sensations, fever and excess sweating.
Japanese Encephalitis: Common in rural and agricultural areas of Asia and the west Pacific, this disease can cause brain swelling and sudden headaches. It is not a long term disease, but in the short period, may even cause high fever and disorientation. A vaccine is available, which has a 90% effectiveness rate.
Zika: While the epidemic is over, you must be aware of this disturbing virus. It can cause a fever, rashes, joint pains and red eyes. All of this may be accompanied by prolonged fatigue, loss of appetite, headache and vomiting.
Lymphatic Filariasis: Spread through parasitic worms on mosquitoes, this disease, also known as Elephantiasis plagues a significant number of people across the country. While a lot of the cases may be symptomless, and hard to spot, in the long run, this disease leads to extreme swelling in the legs, arms and genitals.
Kala-Azar: Also known as Black Fever, this disease is carried by infected sandflies. While treatment is possible, if untreated, it can be fatal. About 5000 cases are reported every year in the subcontinent alone. Common symptoms include abdominal pain, fever, swelling of the liver, and loss of appetite.

What Can Be Done About Mosquito Bites?

Drain any long standing water: Check flower pots, gutters, bird bath, etc. Ensure there is no water collected inside or near your house. Mosquitoes breed in clean stagnant water.
Many people collect water in the fear of not getting water. This collected clean water is often forgotten overtime and becomes a breeding ground for mosquitoes.
Prevent mosquitoes from coming inside your house. Try using screens on windows, and nets on the bed.
While you cannot stop children from playing outside, make them use the mosquito repellent.
Use Natural Repellents: My grandmother swears by using mustard oil instead of a repellent. Neem oil, putting the Neem oil on a dispenser also seems to act as an excellent organic repellent. See what suits your skin!
Colours, odors and other smells seem to have an impact on attracting the mosquitoes! Since we can’t change that about our bodies, it is best to wear loose, covered clothing during the high breeding seasons.
Citronella mosquito repellent plant, (Citrosum plants) help repel mosquitoes. This plant grows in the form of grass and is 5 to 6 feet tall. It can be planted in the ground or can be kept in large pots.

In case if you notice a high fever along with chills, rashes/ body ache or any bleeding tendencies consult your physician for a correct diagnosis & management. Remember to hydrate yourself (or the person impacted), try to keep the body temperature low by using wet-cold packs on the forehead. While these are emergency measures, it is best to avoid getting into such a situation and taking the necessary precautions.

Prevention is the cure in such situations!

We hope this article helps you stay safe! Do share your thoughts in the comments below!

#BeTheForce

September 9, 2017 By Dr Ashwin Nanda 9 Comments

Know all about Dengue and Chikungunya and how to prevent it

Chikungunya and Dengue have created havoc in the capital city of Delhi and certain other parts of the country. The death toll from the two vector-borne diseases has been climbing every day even as the number of affected people crossed 2,800. It has been reported that according to the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP), the number of chikungunya cases in Delhi had spiked to over 2000 till September 11 as fever clinics in the city continue to be swamped with patients.

The World Health Organisation has said that in recent years, globalisation of travel and trade, unplanned urbanisation and environmental challenges including climate change has had a “significant” impact on transmission of vector-borne diseases.

However, the key to averting such an adverse outcome is timely diagnosis and appropriate monitoring along with supportive care.

Let me begin with the basics about dengue and chikungunya…….the culprit for both is the Aedes aegypti mosquito and hence a person can be infected with both diseases simultaneously by its bite. Viruses are the cause of both problems, which enter the mosquito when it bites a human suffering from dengue or chikungunya.

The most likely time for this mosquito to bite is 2 hrs after sunrise and 2 hrs before sunset but, probability of a bite occurring is anytime during daylight hours. So it’s active during the time when most of us are also likely to be outdoors.

Chikungunya begins with sudden onset of high fever, ranging from 101 to 105 degree Fahrenheit accompanied by severe pain in joints. Other symptoms like chills, headache, fatigue, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, reduced appetite and conjunctivitis can also be seen. Rash occurs typically on day 2 or 3 when the fever has subsided along with itching.

The Complete Blood Count (CBC) may show reduction in the total White cell count and platelet count, though neither are severe nor life threatening. IgM (Immunoglobulin M) antibody against Chikungunya can be detected in blood after 5 days till months after onset of symptoms. Joint pains and stiffness can last for weeks or months and can be distressing.

Treatment involves paracetamol to control fever, although NSAIDS (Non-Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs like Brufen and diclofenac) may be needed to reduce fever and joint pains as paracetamol may not suffice. Ice compress on the joints can reduce pain. Ensuring water intake of at least 3 liters/day for adults is a must to counter the dehydration resulting from high fever. Antihistamines reduce the rash and itching. Extreme joint pains get relieved by oral steroids.

Dengue is equally dangerous and spreading. According to New Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health’s research finds that the Dengue virus is the most rapidly spreading virus transmitted by mosquitoes and is a major source of illness in the tropics and subtropics, infecting as many as 400 million people annually.

Dengue symptoms are no different from Chikungunya. Both have similar onset with high grade fever (102 to 105 degree fahrenheit), headaches especially behind the eyes, back pain, muscle & joint pains, weakness. Rash can also occur. Cold and cough, vomiting and diarrhoea may accompany other symptoms. The diagnosis can be done through blood tests like Dengue NS1 which comes positive during first 3 days of fever & Dengue IgM which is detected from 5^th to 7^th day from onset of fever.

Treatment of uncomplicated dengue is same as chikungunya. Hospitalization is a must in worsened abdominal pain & vomiting, significant fall in blood pressure, breathlessness and platelet count going lower than 30,000. Platelet transfusions may be needed along with fluid infusion.

There are no antiviral medicines yet for dengue and chikungunya. Prevention of mosquito bites is the easiest way of avoiding these diseases, wearing full length shirts & trousers helps, applying mosquito repellent & using mosquito nets goes a long way in avoiding bites.

The Aedes aegypti mosquito breeds in stagnant fresh water which is avoidable by disposing used plastic bottles & discarded tyres properly. Pooling in plant trays and coolers also needs to be prevented. Also one should cover water containers that can be mosquito breeding grounds.

October 22, 2015 By Sweta Karia 4 Comments

All you need to know about DENGUE

How often do you come across people suffering from Dengue? Last couple of months we have come across several cases of Dengue across several Indian cities. I myself came across many cases around me recently and that led me to pen down a little piece of Information that can help you prevent and recover from Dengue.

Most of us are unaware of what Dengue is except for the fact that it is associated with fever.

The name Dengue originated from the Swahili word for “bone-breaking fever” or the word for “the walk of a Dandie” in Spanish. Dengue virus belongs to family Flaviviridae, having four serotypes that are transmitted by mosquitoes of Aedes aegypti species.

In recent years, the spread of unplanned urbanization, with associated substandard housing, overcrowding and deterioration in water, sewage and waste management systems, has created ideal conditions for increased transmission of the dengue virus in tropical urban centers.

As estimated by the World Health Organization (WHO) approximately 50 to 100 million infections of Dengue to be seen each year worldwide.

Symptoms of Dengue fever:

It causes a wide spectrum of illness from mild asymptomatic illness to severe fatal dengue haemorrhagic fever/dengue shock syndrome.

Symptoms, which usually begin four to six days after infection and last for up to 10 days, may include sudden high fever, severe headaches, severe joint and muscle pain, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, skin rash, mild bleeding ( such as bleeding nose, gums), blood pressure drops down as the circulation of blood in the vessels is also affected.

A decrease in the platelet count is also observed after 3 days of the starting of the fever.

In the case of having severe infection, viral reproduction rate gets increased and the vital organs like bone marrow and liver are affected.

It is rightly said that “PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE”!!

Let’s take a glance to the preventive measures:

1) Stay away from heavily populated residential areas, if possible.

2) Use mosquito repellents, vaporizing mats, mosquito coils.

3) Wear appropriate clothing: Minimize areas of exposed skin by wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants tucked into socks.

4) Use bed nets during sleeping and tuck them properly under the mattress.

5) Make sure window and door screens are secure and free of holes.

6) Eliminating or avoiding stagnant, standing water where the mosquitoes can reproduce are some of the effective strategies to prevent it.

7) Maintain proper Hygiene and Sanitation.

Treatment:

This viral disease being self-limited, adequate hydration and pain control can help the person through the infection.

Also in severe variations patients often require hospitalizations and intensive care measures.

However, most of the Doctors prefer home remedies for Dengue fever.

Home remedies for Dengue:

As such there is no prescribed diet for Dengue, but one can follow the mentioned home remedies for quick recovery along with the alleviation of the symptoms.

1) Water: This is of utmost important as extreme dehydration is very prominent in Dengue. Water can heal symptoms like headache, muscle cramps and furthermore help to eliminate toxins from the body.

2) Papaya leaf juice: They have an ability to increase the platelets in bone marrow. Here is the way to use them: Wash the leaves, take out the center vein and crush leaves in a grinder with adding little bit of water and consume every 6 hours daily.

3) Neem leaves: Steeping the leaves and drinking its Brew helps to increase the platelet and WBC count thereby improving the body’s immunity.

4) Taking 2-3 spoons of carrot juice having mixed with beetroot juice twice a day helps to boost up the count of platelet count very soon.

5) Omega 3 rich foods like walnuts, flaxseeds, fish boost your immune system.

6) Fresh Fruits and Veggies typically orange juice , amla juice, and grapefruit can promote the antibody production, release the toxins, stimulates cellular repair because of Vitamin C content.

7) Chewing two cloves of garlic or drinking hot garlic vegetable soup can decrease the multiplication of viruses.

8) Eating a well balanced diet with majorly focusing on green leafy veggies can ward off the infection.

9) Also a simple solution to the monsoon Illness is to boost up our immunity by our popularly known

“Dadjiji ka Kadha”. You can check out this link on how to prepare the concoction :

http://goqii.com/blog/decoction-syrup-kadha-out-of-grandmas-books/

10) Most importantly REST. The more your rest, the better the production of platelets.

11) Since it is an Infection, have cooked vegetables instead of raw.

Foods to be avoided:

First and foremost, stay away from unhealthy food like refined sugars, junk food and processed food. Having these foods can cause drop in platelet count.

Secondly, try to avoid the food which is oily, spicy and salty. I know it may spoil the taste of your mouth, but lime juice plays the trick here.

Thirdly, caffeine and alcohol should be avoided to prevent dehydration.

Lastly, avoid meat as it is difficult to digest.

So let’s prevent ourselves from Dengue before we catch hold of it!