With the onset of rains, various water-borne diseases and viral infections increase manifold. Dengue is one such viral disease which is mostly seen during monsoons. We have seen in last few years that a much larger number of people are getting infected. We hear several cases of dengue deaths. Hence, I feel it is topical to deal with this subject at this time of the year and hence this small note on the subject. In the next few paragraphs we will try to understand a little more about this disease.
What is Dengue?
Dengue is a viral fever. The dengue virus enters human body via infected female mosquito (Aedes type) bite. This type of mosquito grows in logged water around us in rainy season especially when the rain stops as that period has humid and warm weather; most conducive for the reproduction of mosquitoes. Hence, the spread of dengue is also more common in tropical areas.
There are five types of dengue viruses. Peculiarly, an infection of a particular type of dengue virus, once cured, will give life-time immunity against that particular type. However, if subsequently, infection of another type of dengue virus occurs in the same person then it will be more severe in nature. Dengue can cause severe drop in platelet count in the blood which causes internal bleeding, drop in blood pressure and multiple organ failure, all of these could lead to death of the person.
Symptoms and duration:
Symptoms of dengue are – fever, body ache, malaise, headache, pain behind eyes, abdominal pain, vomiting and flu like symptoms. Symptoms show up in an infected person between 3 to 14 days after mosquito bite. The severity of infection depends on concentration of virus and immunity of the person. Immunity is the natural disease fighting capacity of our body. Mostly, these symptoms last for 3 to 7 days unless the case goes into higher order complications like DHF (Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever) and DSS (Dengue Shock Syndrome).
Diagnosis:
Dengue can be conclusively diagnosed after doing certain blood tests. Low WBC count in CBC points to diagnosis of viral infection. Reducing platelet and tests like NS1- dengue Antigen and Dengue Antibodies –IgM confirms presence of dengue.
Who is more prone to higher order complications:
Higher order complications can occur for anyone. However, the following persons are more prone to higher order complications: Someone having diabetes (particularly uncontrolled in nature), patient on steroids or immuno suppressants for treatment of some other disease/s, patient having some disease in the background which may have supressed his/her immunity. A physician needs to be careful in assessing the state of the disease and developing complications so as to pick up early signs of developing severity of the disease.
Prevention:
At community level, cleanliness is extremely important. This type of mosquito grows in logged water all around us in rainy season especially when the rain stops. So avoiding water logging at personal level, at society level is important. Regular fumigation also helps to some extent. Use of mosquito net is good solution for personal safety at night time. Use of mosquito repellent helps to some extent, however chemical based repellents have their own problems and hazardous effects on us.
Cure:
Common question is, what to do if someone gets fever?
In case of fever especially in the rainy season one must be careful although all fevers are not dengue. But cautious management of fever is important right from the beginning. Two factors that have an impact on the outcome of the case are virulence or power of virus and immunity of infected the person. Currently, there is no vaccination or antiviral drugs available against dengue in modern medicine. Supportive treatment is provided mainly for relief. Homoeopathy can cure dengue.
On the very first day of fever it is not possible to diagnose whether it is dengue or malaria or typhoid or any other viral/ bacterial fever. Usually either there is fear response to the fever or a casual attitude towards the fever. In either case, management of fever remains faulty. In such cases mostly higher order complications do arise. As a patient, one needs to take rest as soon as fever spikes. One should not attend work or school or classes and health should be given the utmost priority. Usually it is seen that as soon as fever spike comes down with medicines there is a hurry to attend to work, school etc. Mothers send kids to school and classes, once temperature reduces with medicines, citing reasons such as exams etc. But this is a wrong practice. Let the patient take rest and revive. Lack of rest is one important reason of reducing immunity and disease going out of control. Sometimes there is over cautious approach and over drugging without indication which also becomes damaging for the immune system. This should also be avoided.
Apart from rest, another very important aspect is hydration. Hydration means supplying a lot of water/liquids/nutrition to the body as the body needs them for fighting the infection. So giving fluids, glucose powder, Enerzal, ORS, fruits, fruit juices will rejuvenate the body and provide a lot of energy. It should be given every 1-2 hourly to patient according to his/her taste. If hydration is well maintained hospitalisation can be avoided. If patient is vomiting continuously and is unable to retain any food/liquids in spite of giving medicines, hospitalisation becomes important for giving intravenous fluids.
Homoeopathic treatment:
As stated by World Health Organisation (WHO), there is no anti-viral medicine in modern medicine which can kill dengue viruses. Strengthening of immunity of infected person plays a key role in recovery from dengue. Homoeopathic management plays vital role in raising immunity by giving right medicine indicated for that patient at the right time after assessing clinical state of the patient. Cases of dengue with very low platelets count and dengue IgM positive can be managed successfully with homoeopathic medication provided the patients do not panic and follow the right line of treatment. Right homoeopathic treatment gives gentle, rapid and smooth recovery.
As is always the case with homoeopathic treatment, clinical acumen of the physician and good understanding of correct medicine for a particular patient is utmost needed for effective cure.