To Book an Appointment

DENGUE –It is Not only about Platelet Count

By Dr. Udit Rohatgi in Paediatrics (Ped)

Jul 07 , 2016 | 1 min read

Dengue fever is endemic in most of the South East Asian countries and carries its epidemic propositions during rainy season when mosquito breeding is high. It is a deadly viral fever that is transmitted by the bite of Aedes mosquito. The mosquito is infected when it bites the person infected with dengue virus in their blood.

According to Dr. Udit Rohatgi, The fever can occur at all ages but it is more severe in children and elderly people. This fever causes the platelet and blood pressure to fall and the child experiences severe abdominal pain, vomiting, nausea, decreased urine, poor oral intake and redness of body. This requires sudden medical interference and if not sought, child may start bleeding or go into shock leading to injury of various organs. On ensuring proper treatment, this phase then will last only for 3-5 days and then there is spontaneous recovery with a feeling of well being increase in platelet counts and return of appetite.

Symptoms

This disease cannot spread directly from one person to another person. However, the symptoms usually begin four to six days after infection and last upto 10 days. The fever is continuously increases for 5-6 days and as it begins to settle down, the child appears to be sick than before. You can watch out the following changes:

Sudden, high fever
Severe headaches
Pain behind the eyes
Severe joint and muscle pain
Fatigue/Restlessness
Nausea and Vomiting
Skin rash, which appears two to five days after the onset of fever
Mild bleeding (such a nose bleed, bleeding gums, or easy bruising)
Irritability or Dullness

How to Stop Dengue?

Parents should ensure enough fluid intake with juices, soups, ORS solutions, milk and soft diet.
When outdoors, wear long-sleeved shirts or protective clothing to prevent mosquito bite.
Stay away from heavily populated residential areas
Screen your sleeping areas and sleep in an air conditioned environment as mosquitoes do not breed at places that have a cold temperature.