Dengue is a type of fever. It happens due to mosquito bite. It has two forms. First one is acute and other is chronic. In acute dengue one can be surrounded by fever, chills, rash, discomfort, irritability, muscle spasm, joint pain, body aches whereas chronic dengue may show the bleeding or even sudden fall of blood pressure. The chronic dengue is often referred as dengue hemorrhagic fever.
Symptoms Though, the symptoms are similar as of flu or viral infections. Thereof it is at times mistaken as flu. But some tests and physical examination of a renowned medical professional/doctor may help in knowing it at an early stage.
The Symptom Includes:
1. High fever
2. Headaches
3. Pain behind the eyes
4. Severe joint /muscle pain
5. Fatigue
6. Nausea
7. Vomiting
8. Skin rash,
9. Mild bleeding from nose or gums
10. Low white cell count
These symptoms can be noticed after 4-6 days of the mosquito bite. But in some rare cases it may extend up to 10 days. When dengue fever is prolonged and rendered untreated or mishandled it becomes a deadly disease and shows alarming symptoms.
These Frightening Symptoms Are:
1. Severe abdominal pain
2. Reduced blood count / platelet
3. Persistent vomiting
4. Red spots / patches all over the body
5. Bleeding nose or gums
6. Hemoptysis
7. Black stools
8. Drowsiness
9. Irritability
10. Pale, cold, or clammy skin
11. Difficulty breathing
Time To See a Doctor
When you have the periodical fever with chills or with low appetite or if you have the body aches, it’s time to consult a doctor and do not rely on any one and also do not try the normal NUSKHAS in order to treat your own self. The renowned medical practitioner or the doctor may examine you physically. He may ask you to undergo certain tests to identify your dengue.
The Physical Examination May Disclose The Following:
1. Enlarged liver
2. Low blood pressure
3. Rash
4. Red eyes
5. Red throat
6. Swollen glands
7. Pulse rate (frail or speedy)
The Doctor May Ask You The Following Tests:
1. Arterial blood gases
2. Blood tests (to find signs of the virus in the blood)
3. Coagulation studies
4. Electrolytes
5. Hematocrit
6. Liver enzymes
7. Platelet count
8. Serum studies
9. Tourniquet test
10. X-ray of the chest (may show buildup of fluid in the lungs and chest)
Chronic Dengue Fever May Cause The Complications. The Complications Are Enlisted Below:
Brain disease
Liver damage
Residual brain damage
Seizures
Shock
Prevention
Prevention is better than cure. So, here lies few points that can be taken into consideration to protect oneself from dengue fever.
1. Wear full-coverage clothes
2. Use of mosquito nets
3. Use the mosquito repellent containing DEET all cover the body especially the area which are not covered with clothes.
4. If travelling is important then try to travel during the day as this time the mosquitos are less active.
5. Try to add some mosquito control programs governed by some locals, RWS’s or state government that may help in the reduction of infection.
Treatment
Medical science has improved a lot yet the scope of improvisation is still there. The scientists are still researching the proper cure and vaccine against Dengue. We are available with the treatment is to treat the said symptoms by:-
A transfusion of fresh blood or platelets
Injecting intravenous (IV) fluids and electrolytes
Oxygen therapy to treat abnormally low blood oxygen
Rehydration with intravenous (IV)
Supportive care in an intensive care unit
Dietary Modification
The role of diet consultant or a Dietitian is equally important here. As she can give you the tips on how to save on the patient from the complication and also what can be included in the diet to provide the relief to the person suffering from dengue. The dietary modification is vital for the dengue patients. So there are some useful tips:
Add water up to 3-4 liters
Add other liquids too including fruit and vegetable juices, soups, coconut water, lemonade etc.
Avoid Alcohol
Avoid tobacco
Avoid oily, fried foods
Avoid refined wheat based foods
Avoid heavy and high satiety value food stuff
Avoid high sugar and salt based food products
Do not eat sweets
Add ORS
Add fruits like banana, orange, apple, pomegranate, kiwi etc
Add papaya leaf juice
Add ginger water
Add Tulsi water ( tulsi drops)
Give light food preprations
Give protein rich diet but should be light and easy to consume like eggs, lean meats, fish or chicken soups, cottage cheese, milk
Add green leafy vegetables ( boiled)
Add cucumber
Add curd or yoghurt.
So, here is the short and brief information about Dengue. Hope you find it useful and worthy. For any more information you can leave the comment, we will contact you. Or in case of short of time you can contact us too.
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