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The scarring of dengue in urban areas is not uncommon, usually occurring for decades at the end of the rainy season. In recent years, there have been no casualties because of the awareness and caution of the population. Unfortunately, this year, dengue causes a catastrophic return to urban areas.
Dengue fever is a febrile illness caused by a mosquito-borne flavivirus. It is endemic in Asia and the Pacific, Africa and America. About 50 million infections occur each year and dengue is the fastest spreading viral disease spread by mosquitoes.
Dengue can affect anyone, but tends to be more severe in people with compromised immune systems and in children. Because it is caused by one of four serotypes of the dengue virus, it is possible to contract dengue fever several times. However, a dengue attack produces lifetime immunity against the viral serotype to which the patient has been exposed.
Dengue has other names, such as "bone fever" or "dandy fever". Dengue victims often suffer from contortions due to intense pain in the joints, muscles and bones, hence the name "bone fever". Slaves in the West Indies who contracted dengue fever are said to have dandy fever because of their posture and gait.
Symptoms include severe headaches, body pain, joint and muscle pain, back pain, spinal pain, and a high temperature rise. The fever usually reaches 1040F and responds poorly to paracetamol. These symptoms persist for 4-5 days with disgust in the mouth, nausea and weakness. Usually, on the 6th day, a reddish rash appears throughout the body, mainly in the palms and soles of the feet with itching. At this point, there is no fever and the patients seem normal, except for weakness for a few more days.
Since dengue fever is caused by a virus, there is no specific drug or antibiotic to treat it. It is usually self-limiting. For typical dengue fever, the treatment aims to relieve symptoms. For fever and pain, you may suffer from paracetamol or mop warm, but never take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen. Drink plenty of water, fruit juice, oral saline, coconut water, etc., at least 3 to 4 liters of fluid a day.
Dengue haemorrhagic fever is a more serious form of the viral disease. Symptoms include headache, fever, rashes, and signs of hemorrhaging in the body. Petechiae (small red spots or purple spots under the skin), bleeding from the nose or gums, black stools or slight bruising are all possible signs of bleeding. This form of dengue fever can be life-threatening and can progress to the most severe form of the disease, dengue shock syndrome. This type of complication can be managed in hospitals with adequate supportive care and sometimes the patient may need a transfusion of fresh blood or platelets.
Since there is no commercially available vaccine available to prevent dengue fever, we can take precautionary measures to get rid of it. Check every corner of your home for stagnant water, such as your flower box, coconut shells, old tires, old containers or discarded pots, etc., and remove them. at once. Use a mosquito net when you sleep. Use long sleeved shirts and pants when going out. Use mosquito repellents. Avoid mosquito bites, especially after sunrise and before sunset.
If you do not have dengue fever, simply take paracetamol to lower your temperature or relieve pain and drink plenty of fluids. It is usually spontaneously resolving and disappears after 5 to 6 days. check your platelet count and if it is below the normal limit, see a doctor immediately.
The writer is an badistant professor of medicine at ZH Sikder Women's Medical College and Dhaka Hospital.
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