Dengue Infection - Prevention and Management
Published on Feb 08, 2016 and last reviewed on Jan 04, 2022 - 2 min read
Abstract
People panic soon after they hear the word dengue from the doctor's mouth.This article gives some awareness and also will calm down people.
There are lots of people getting affected with dengue infection, the severity ranging from mild to severe, even causing death.
As most of you might be knowing dengue is a viral infection spread by mosquitoes. The mosquito which spreads dengue is active and bites during the day time and not in the night time. So, it is important to take mosquito preventive measures even during the day time.
The symptoms are fever (mild to high ), backache, headache, eye pain, weakness, rashes, abdominal pain and nausea. Patient can take Paracetamol for fever and body pain but should not take any other painkillers like Aspirin or Combiflam. If fever persists for 2 days, then consult your doctor and get lab tests done.
Monitor Platelet Count:
- In dengue infection we see a drop in the platelet count.
- A normal platelet count is 1,50,000 - 4,00,000. In dengue infection from the first day of fever till 6-7 days there will be drop in platelet count irrespective of what kind of treatment is given. After the 6th or 7th day there will be increase in the platelet count. An increase in platelet count indicates cure from the disease.
- But during the time of illness platelet count monitoring has to be done because it can fall to a very low level and patient may require platelet transfusion in that case. Hence in case of proven dengue infection do repeat platelet count test as advised by your doctor.
Prevention of Dengue:
- As it is caused by mosquito one needs to take measures to control mosquito.
- Do not allow water to be stagnant in and around the house.
- Close the windows especially during day time.
- Keep the comod clean and flushed.
- It is preferable to use medicated mosquito nets especially if there are children or pregnant women.
If you have fever for more than two days, immediately consult an internal medicine physician online --> https://www.icliniq.com/ask-a-doctor-online/internal-medicine-physician
Frequently Asked Questions
1.
What Are the 4S of Dengue Prevention?
The 4S of dengue prevention stands for search and destroy mosquito-breeding sites, seek early consultation, self-protection measures like wearing long pants and long-sleeved shirts, and support fogging/spraying only in hotspot areas.
2.
What Is the Most Effective Way to Prevent Dengue?
The fastest and most effective way to prevent dengue is to use insect repellent, wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants to avoid mosquito bites, and control mosquitoes inside and outside your home.
3.
How Is Dengue Caused?
Dengue is a viral infection transmitted to humans by the bite of infected mosquitoes such as Aedes aegypti (more common) or Aedes albopictus (less common) mosquitoes. And the virus responsible for causing dengue is called dengue virus (DENV).
4.
What Are the Alarming Signs of Dengue?
The alarming signs of dengue include abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, clinical fluid accumulation, bleeding from the nose or gums, blood in urine, stools, or vomit, and feeling tired, restless, or irritable.
5.
What Is the Ideal Time for the Dengue Test?
Two types of tests are done in dengue - Direct (antigen tests) and indirect (antibody tests). The direct test should be done within five days during the initial phase of infection and starts to show false negative results after seven days. Indirect antibody tests are done at different periods for specific antibodies, such as IgM - after the 4th day of infection and IgG - in the later phase 14-21 days of infection.
6.
When Is the Dengue Mosquito Most Active?
The dengue mosquito Aedes aegypti mainly bites during the daytime. The most active time for mosquitoes is two hours after sunrise and several hours before sunset. However, it can also bite at night in well-lit areas.
7.
Who Has a Higher Chance of Getting Dengue?
People who live or have recently traveled to tropical and subtropical areas are at higher risk of getting dengue fever. Moreover, people who had dengue fever in the past can develop severe symptoms if they get it again.
8.
How Is Dengue Diagnosed?
In case of infection, a blood test can be done to check the presence of the dengue virus. Although the diagnosis of dengue fever is complicated based on its signs and symptoms as they resemble other diseases such as malaria, typhoid fever, and chikungunya.
9.
When Is Hospitalization Required for Dengue?
The patient with the following symptoms needs to be admitted to the hospital:
- Severe abdominal pain.
- Persistent vomiting.
- Lethargy.
- Restlessness.
- Rapid changes in body temperature from high to low.
- Looking pale.
- Limbs become cold and clammy.
10.
What Is the Platelet Count In Dengue?
The normal platelet count in the body ranges from 1.5 to 4 lakhs, which can go down to as low as 20,000 to 40,000 in dengue patients. The platelet count below 20,000 is the critical level.
11.
What Is the Cure for Dengue Fever?
As such, there is no cure or specific treatment for dengue. However, patients can be admitted to the hospital or rest at home as the treatment is aimed at relieving the symptoms until the infection is gone.
12.
How to Rapidly Increase the Platelet Count?
The platelet count can be increased by making some dietary changes or taking supplements such as eating more green leafy vegetables, increasing folate consumption, eating food rich in vitamins B12, C, D, and K, and eating more citrus and iron-rich foods.
13.
What Is the Recovery Time of Dengue?
The incubation period of dengue ranges from three to 14 days. And the symptoms of dengue fever typically last two to seven days. And most people recover from dengue in about seven to ten days.
14.
What Can Happen if Dengue Is Not Treated on Time?
In case of untreated dengue, the fever can cause internal bleeding and organ damage; therefore, blood pressure can drop to dangerous levels leading to shock and can also be fatal.
15.
What Are the Indications of Recovery From Dengue?
Most people with dengue recover on their own without any complications. In the recovery phase, the patient's vital signs and gastrointestinal symptoms improve, the fever subsides, and appetite normalizes.
Last reviewed at:
04 Jan 2022 - 2 min read
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