Intro: The dengue virus scare is increasing day by
day as the disease continues to spread worldwide.
You! takes a look at the signs and symptoms of the virus...
Dengue virus or fever, a mosquito-borne disease with no known treatment, is spreading rapidly around the globe. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned that 2.5 billion people are at a risk from one of the world's fastest-emerging infections. Officials at the WHO say Asia, home to 70 per cent of the at-risk population, has seen a rise in dengue mainly because of higher temperatures due to climate change and rising populations.
What is dengue fever?
Dengue fever is a disease caused by a family of viruses that are transmitted by mosquitoes. It is an acute illness of sudden onset that usually follows a benign course with symptoms such as headache, fever, exhaustion, severe muscle and joint pain, swollen glands and rash. Other signs of dengue fever include bleeding gums, severe pain behind the eyes, and red palms and soles.
Dengue strikes people with low levels of immunity. It goes by other names, including 'breakbone' or 'dandy fever'. Victims of dengue often have contortions due to the intense joint and muscle pain, hence the name breakbone fever.
Dengue hemorrhagic fever is a more severe form of the viral illness. Manifestations include headache, fever, rash, and evidence of hemorrhage in the body. Small red or purple blisters under the skin, bleeding in the nose or gums, black stool, or easy bruising are all possible signs of hemorrhage. This form of dengue fever can be life-threatening and can progress to the most severe form of the illness, dengue shock syndrome.
The virus's main affect is on the platelet production. Normally the platelets in our body last for about four days and the body replenishes them when required. This virus destroys the body's capacity to produce new platelets. The platelet count for a normal person varies from 1.5 - 2.5 lacs per unit volume. On getting infected the patient's platelet count starts falling and a count below 1 lac is alarming. A platelet count below 50,000 is fatal.
How is dengue fever contracted?
The virus is contracted from the bite of a striped Aedes aegypti mosquito that has previously bitten an infected person. The mosquito flourishes during rainy seasons but can breed in water-filled flower pots, plastic bags, and cans year-round. One mosquito bite can inflict the disease.
Dengue fever symptoms and signs
* After being bitten by a mosquito carrying the virus, the incubation period ranges from usually five to eight days before the signs and symptoms of dengue appear.
* Dengue starts with chills, headache, pain upon moving the eyes, and low backache. Painful aching in the legs and joints occurs during the first hours of illness.
* The temperature rises quickly with low heart rate and low blood pressure (hypotension).
* Eyes become reddened.
* A flushing or pale pink rash comes over the face and then disappears. The glands (lymph nodes) in the neck and groin often swell up too.
* Fever and other signs of dengue last for two to four days, followed by a rapid drop in body temperature (defervescence) with profuse sweating.
* This precedes with normal temperature and a sense of well-being that lasts about a day. A second rapid rise in temperature follows.
What is the treatment for dengue fever?
Because dengue fever is caused by a virus, there is no specific medicine or antibiotic to treat it. For typical dengue, the treatment is purely concerned with relief of the symptoms. Bed rest and intake of plenty of fluids for adequate hydration is important. Medicines should only be taken under a doctor's supervision. It is also necessary to monitor blood pressure and platelet count.
There are several preventive steps that can be taken to avoid dengue virus:
* The most important is to ensure there is no standing water near residential areas where mosquitoes breed.
* Spraying insecticide, applying mosquito repellent and wearing long sleeves and trousers can also be helpful.
* Avoid wearing dark colours as they attract mosquitoes.
Home remedies to prevent dengue..?
Raw papaya leaves: Squeezing out the leaves of raw papaya is quite beneficial for increasing the platelets of a dengue patient. Take two leaves, pound and squeeze the juice through a filter cloth. You will only get one tablespoon per leaf. Do not boil, cook or rinse with hot water, else it will lose its strength.
Orange juice: It helps with digestion, increased urinary output, promotes antibodies for faster healing and recovery. It gives energy and vitamins, over all a great source for fighting fever.
Basil leaves: Intake of boiled basil leaves served as warm tea can prevent the outbreak of dengue. This bitter and pungent herb has all the qualities that can fortify the internal system.
Neem tree: Neem has magnificent healing properties and can be used for special air purifying qualities. It is extremely efficient in alleviating such air borne disease like dengue. A tonic made from the leaves of the neem tree is the best as they are great purifying agents.