DENGUE & HOMOEOPATHY

A case series
Dr. Neena Mehan, Dr. Ankit Gupta, Dr. Kashif Rehman, Dr. Ishu Garg

BACKGROUND
Dr. B. R. Sur Homoeopathic Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre, Moti Bagh, New Delhi started a fever
clinic under the guidance of Dr. Surinder Verma Principal/HOD during the months of August, September and October. A
total of 204 patients visited the clinic and were subjected to homoeopathic treatment on the basis of their acute totality.
Out of these, 28 patients were suspected to have dengue based on their Platelet counts which are shared in this paper
along with their regular clinical and investigative follow ups.

KEY WORDS
Homoeopathy; Dengue; Platelet count

INTRODUCTION
During the months of August, September and October 2015, a special OPD for fever cases was started in Dr. B. R. Sur
Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital which witnessed a increased no. of fever patients. All the cases were recorded
carefully and given homoeopathic treatment on the basis of acute totality. Out of the total 204 patients, 28 were suspected
to have dengue on the basis of routine platelet count. All these cases along with their regular clinical and investigative
follow ups are presented in this paper as a short case study.

Dengue
Dengue virus (DV) infections are a significant health threat to populations living in tropical and subtropical regions.
Infection with any of the 4 serotypes of DV can produce a broad spectrum of illness, ranging from asymptomatic infection to
severe life-threatening illness. Symptomatic dengue illness is typically classified into dengue fever (DF), a self limited febrile
illness, or a more severe form, dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF), which is characterized by plasma leakage into the chest
and abdominal cavities and bleeding diathesis.(1)
The infection is transmitted by the bite of an infected aedes mosquito. Two species namely, Aedes Aegypti and Aedes
Albopictus are the most important vectors of dengue. The mosquito gets infected by feeding on a patient from the day
before onset to the 5th day (viraemia stage) of illness. Once infected, it remains so for life. The mosquito in the containers
in and around the houses and survives best between 160C-300C. Thus, failure of urban authorities to provide civil amenities
and poor public health infrastructure raises the potential for the vector to breed at high level and makes the environment
transmission conducive.(2)
Classic dengue fever is characterised by abrupt onset of fever, malaise, headache, retrobulbar pain which worsens on eye
movements, conjunctival suffusion and severe backache, which is a prominent symptom. Lymphadenopathy and skin
rashes may also occur. The rash is morbiliform and is first seen on the limbs and then spreads to involve the trunk. The
fever subsides after 3-4 days, the patient remains afebrile for a couple of days, and then the fever returns, together with
the features mentioned above, but milder. This biphasic or saddleback pattern is considered characteristic; malaise may
occur with the illness. The illness lasts for about ten days after which recovery is complete although convalescence may be
protracted. Laboratory findings show leucopenia, a mild thromobocytopenia and relative lymphocytosis.
Dengue haemorrhagic fever is a severe form of dengue fever and is believed to be the result of sequential infection with two
different dengue serotypes. The disease has a mild start, often with symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection. This is
followed by the abrupt onset of spontaneous haemorrhage into the skin, epistaxis, haematemesis, and melaena (dengue
haemorrhagic fever syndrome). Hypotension is evident. There is thrombocytopenia (50,000-80,000/cumm). Dengue shock
syndome is an even more severe form of the disease and is due to vascular leakage of fluid. Circulatory failure is rapid in
onset, and one may lose the patient unless fluids are infused rapidly. (3) It has been found in a study that ultrasonographic
signs of plasma leakage are detectable before changes in the hematocrits & thus ultrasound can be used as an effective tool
for detecting plasma leakage in dengue infection.(1)
The two basic methods for establishing a laboratory diagnosis of dengue infection are detection of the virus (e.g., culture)
or detection of anti-dengue IgM and IgG antibodies (serology). Until recently, detection of the virus implied solely the
recovery of the virus by culture; however, current procedures can detect dengue virus RNA and specific dengue virus
antigens. These techniques are not routinely utilized because they are expensive and complex (virus culture and reversetranscription-polymerase chain reaction).(4)

STUDY SETTING
Fever clinic in Dr. B. R. Sur Homoeopathic Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre, Moti Bagh, New Delhi
METHODOLOGY
204 patients suffering from fever reported to the fever clinic w.e.f. 24th Aug15 to 10th Oct15. All of them were subjected
to CBC, and on the basis of the reports 28 patients were suspected to have dengue (Platelet count <1.5Lac/mm3) .They
were treated with appropriate homoeopathic medicine regularly followed with investigations. Cases with platelet
count<80,000/mm3 &/or with >10% rise in serial PCV measures were not included in the study.
There were no predefined medicines and the basis of prescription was acute totality, which included acute subjective and
objective symptoms of the patient.

S.
No

Date of
First Visit

Name/
Age &
sex/
Reg. No.

Address

1.

24.08.15

Sanjana
37/F
20256

W-Z,
250,
Inderpuri

2.

26.08.15

Dr.
Pramod
44/M
20663

B/5, DDA
flats,
Munirka,
N.D.-67

3.

30.08.15

Manishka
13/F
20985

F-46,
Nanak
pura,
N.D.-21

4.

01.09.15

Ashish
25/M
21310

A-11,
Manak
Vihar

Presenting
complaints

1.) Fever since

4days
(T-1020F)
2.) Vomiting
3.) Headachefrontal
1.) Fever with
chills since
3 days
(T-1030F)
2.) Weakness
3.) Sneezing
esp. in
morning
1.) Fever with
chills since
2 days
(T-1010F)
2.) Backache
and body
ache-severe
3.) Pain in eyes
1.) Fever since
2 days
(T-990F)
2.) Restlessnes
s
3.) Backacke
with
stiffness
esp. in
morning on
waking

Generals

Thirst
increased
Constipation

Thirst
increased for
little
quantity and
often

Lab
Findings

Rx

Follow up-1

Follow up-2

Follow up-3

Platlet
Count
(mm3)

Platlet
Count
(mm3)

Platlet
Count
(mm3)

PCV (%)

PCV (%)

PCV (%)

Result

Platl
et
coun
t
(mm
3
)
1.48

PCV
(%)

39

Bryonia
30

1.15
34
(Temp.99.80F)

1.40
32
Afebrile

1.75
34
Afebrile

Improved
Symptom
s better
and
Afebrile

1.3

43

Arsenic
album 3o

1.06
44
(Temp.1000F)

0.84
41
Afebrile

1.10
37
Afebrile

Improved
Symptom
s better
and
Afebrile

1.80

37

Eupatori
um perf
30

1.51
38
(Temp.99.60F)

1.08
39
(temp.100.80F)

1.04
37
Afebrile but
headache
and
bodyache
still there

Not
improved

1.60

35

Rhus
tox30

1.39
34
Afebrile

1.75
35
Afebrile

1.91
34
Afebrile

Improved
Symptom
s better
and
Afebrile

5.

15.09.15

Sarla
47/F
22123

101/9b,
Kishanga
rh, N.D.
9650375
566

6.

15.09.15

Satish
39/M
22017

101/9B,
Kishanga
rh, N.D.
9650375
566

7.

16.09.15

Ravinder
Tokas
40/M
22400

H.No.203
, Munirka
Village,
9582872
735

8.

17.09.15

Akhilesh
28/M
22423

H. No.
57, Tyagi
Mohalla,
Chattarp
ur, N.D.74
9599367
179

1.) Fever
(T-100.10F)
2.) Headache
3.) Bodyache
4.) Weakness
5.) Pain in
abdomen
All complaints
since 2 days
1.) Fever with
weakness
since 2
days
(T-990F)
2.) Pain in
lumbar
region

Restlessness
during fever
paroxysm
Thirst
increased

1.7

34

Arsenic
album30

2.8
36
Afebrile

1.8
35
Afebrile

2.5
31
Afebrile

Improved
Afebrile
and
symptoms
better

1. Thirst
increased
2. Bitter
taste

1.8

44

2.2
48
Afebrile

1.65
42
Afebrile

1.51
39
Afebrile

Not
improved

1.) Chills
morning
after
waking
since 3
days
(T-99.40F)
2.) Coryza
3.) Excessive
Weakness
1.) Fever
(Heat esp.
at night)
since 2
days
(T-1010F)
2.) Pain in
epigastrium

Thirst
Decreased

2.4

33

1.)
Arsenic
album30
/ qid/
2days
(1st & 2nd
visit)
2.)
Eupatori
um perf.
30/ qid/
2days
(3rd visit)
Gelsemiu
m 30

3.1
38
(1010F)

1.4
37
Afebrile

2.9
39.5
Afebrile

Improved
And
Afebrile
And
With
symptoms
better

1.)ThirstIncreased
2.) White
coated
tongue

2.5

42

Bryonia
30

1.6
42
Afebrile

1.39
38
Afebrile

1.8
41
Afebrile

Improved
Afebrile
and
symptoms
better

9.

16.09.15

Santosh
33/M
22397

21/248,
Kalyanpu
ri
9899406
544
R.K.
Puram,
Sec.-12,
KD
Colony
9716036
552

1.) Fever since

morning
(T-100.60F)
2.) Sore throat

10.

17.09.15

Deepcha
nd
14/M
12485

11.

22.09.15

12.

3.2

31

Ferrum
phos 30

2.3
32
(Temp.99.50F)

1.43
28
Afebrile

1.58
31
Afebrile

1.) Fever since

3 days
(T-1000F)
2.) Weakness

Lakshay
13/M
20020

11-Satya
Niketan
8826595
654

23.09.15

Needhi
19/F
22874

13.

24.09.15

Rahul
10/M
16923

HIGA 11/
156,
Sec-3
Rajinder
Nagar
8860968
446
11/10,
Mochi
Gaon

14.

25.09.15

Ramkali
48/F
23072

T-54/28,
Nanakpu
ra, Moti
Bagh

15.

29.09.15

Vijay
Singh

H.No.91,
Satya

Improved
Afebrile
and
symptoms
better
Improved
Afebrile
and
weakness
better

Thirst
increased

1.4

28

Ars alb
30

1.15
27
Afebrile

0.96
27
Afebrile

1.05
29
Afebrile

1.) Fever since

4 days
(T-101.30F)
2.) Weakness
3.) Pain in
joints

Thirst
increased
Bitter taste
Quiet
disposition
Constipated

1.6

38

Bryonia
30

1.6
41
Afebrile

1.28
36
Afebrile

1.43
38
Afebrile

Improved
Afebrile
and
symptoms
better

1.) Fever
(T-99.40F)
2.) Weakness
3.) Headache
4.) Bodyache

Thirst
increased

1.7

32

Ars. Alb.
30

1.21
39
(Temp.990F)

1.25
35
Afebrile

1.36
36
Afebrile

Improved
Afebrile
and
symptoms
better

1.) Fever
(T- 99.80F)
2.) Sore Throat
3.) Headache< walking
1.) Fever since
3 days
(T- 980F)
2.) Weakness
3.) Burning
pain in
epigastrium
1.) Fever since
1 day

Thirst
increased

1.44

32

Belladon
na30

1.36
35
Afebrile

1.20
37
Afebrile

1.24
35
Afebrile

Thirst
increased

0.82

31

Ars. Alb.
30

0.90
26
(Temp.98.60F)

0.76
25
Afebrile

0.90
28
Afebrile

Improved
Afebrile
and
symptoms
better
Improved
Afebrile
And
symptoms
better

Thirstnormal

0.76

40

Eupatori
um

0.60
40

Left

18/M
23362
16.

29.09.15

Monica
37/F
23322

17.

23.09.15

Ajay Pal
26/M
22963

18.

28.09.15

Sushant
26/M
2322

19.

28.09.15

Manish
Sharma
38/M
23170

20.

30.09.15

Vijay
34/M
23434

21.

30.09.15

Anita
23/F
23426

Niketan
9560901
484
E-21 A,
602/3,
Krishna
Aptt.,
Mehrauli
9899987
584
60/1,
Mochi
Gaon,
Nanakpu
ra
9873874
133
F-190,
Nankpur
a
9555807
908
RZF-29,
Gali No.
24, Sadh
Nagar,
Palam
9582872
735
Indian
Air Force
Auditoriu
m,
Dhaula
Kuan
7065777
291
A-29
Kanak
Durga

(T-99.90F)
2.) Severe pain
in joints
1.) Fever Since
3 days
(T-980F)
2.) Weakness

perf.30

(Temp.990F)

Bitter taste
Restlessness

0.78

35

Ars. Alb.
30

1.3
28
Afebrile

1.4
35
Afebrile

1.59
39
Afebrile

Improved
Afebrile
and
symptoms
improved

1.) Fever since

5 days
(T-98.50F)
2.) Pain in
joints

Thirst
increased
Bitter taste

1.25

43

Bry. 30/
qid

1.21
41
Afebrile

0.97
36
Afebrile

1.12
38
Afebrile

Improved
Afebrile
and
symptoms
better

1.) Fever with

chills since
4 days
(T-98.20F)
2.) Sore throat
3.) Weakness
1.) Fever since
3 days
(T- 990F)
2.) Weakness

Thirst
increased

0.88

38

Ars. Alb.
30
Ferrum
phos 30
(SOS)

1.10
39
Afebrile

1.36
39
Afebrile

1.20
37
Afebrile

Thirst
increased

1.14

45

Ars. Alb.
30

1.20
41
(Temp.98.80F)

1.40
39
Afebrile

2.14
39
Afebrile

Not
improved
Afebrile
and
symptoms
better
Improved
Afebrile
and
symptoms
better

1.) Fever with

chills since
1 day
(T-990F)
2.) Pain in
joints
3.) Headache

Thirst normal

0.85

27

Eupatori
um 30

1.03
29
Afebrile

1.44
29
Afebrile

1.56
30
Afebrile

Improved
Afebrile
and
symptoms
improved

1.) Fever since

7 days
(T- 960F)

Bitter taste
Thirst
increased

1.02

34

Bry. 30

0.90
37
Afebrile

1.10
35
Afebrile

1.44
36
Afebrile

Improved
Afebrile
and no

Colony,
R.K.
Puram,
Sec.-12
9716761
610
162/1
Mochi
Gaon,

22.

30.09.15

Kamlesh
50/F
23438

23.

1.10.15

Mahesh
30/M
23611

BSES
Office,
Moti
Bagh
9716092
529

24.

3.10.15

Anil
Rajput
21/M
23688

Nanak
pura,
N.D.
8882716
306

25.

5.10.15

Khushi
3/F
23638

Shastri
market,
Nanakpu
ra
9911594
280

26.

6.10.15

Purnima
18/F
23883

115,
Satya
Niketan

2.) Pain in neck

complaint

1.) Fever since

4-5 days
(T- 970F)
2.) Extreme
Weakness
1.) Fever since
3 days
(T- 98.50F)
2.) Pain in
Back and
shoulders
>continued
motion
3.) Bodyache
1.) Fever since
2 days
(T-101.9oF)
2.) Vomiting
and
restlessness
present
1.) Fever since
7 days
(T-99.20F)
2.) Fluent
coryza
3.) Dry cough

Thirstless

1.17

30

Gels. 30

1.08
34
Afebrile

1.43
35
Afberile

2.06
35
Afebrile

1.) Fever since

4 days
(T- 1030F)
2.) Chills
3.) Weakness
4.) Pain in nape
of neck

Improved
Afebrile
and
symptoms
improved
Improved
Afebrile
and
symptoms
improved

0.68

43

Rhus tox
30

1.36
38
Afebrile

1.04
38
Afebrile

1.36
36
Afebrile

Thirst
increased

1.03

46

Ars. alb.
30

Thirstless
White
coating on
tongue

1.20

37

Puls.
30Ferr.
Phos. 30
/SOS

1.62
32
Afebrile

1.65
32
Afebrile

1.78
31
Afebrile

Improved
Afberile
and
symptoms
better

Thirstless

1.42

38

Gels. 30

1.52
33
(99.80F)

1.54
31
(99.20F)

1.63
36
Afebrile
But
weakness
still present

Improved

left

Afebrile
but
weakness
is still
present

27.

6.10.15

Babulal
50/M
24051

E-223
dakshinp
uri

28.

8.10.15

Bishnu
23/M
24107

Shop no.
12,
Satya
Niketan

1.) Fever esp.

at night
since 4
days
(T-97.9oF)
2.) Bodyache
3.) Weakness
4.) Dry cough
5.) Slight
headache
1.) Fever since
4 days
(T- 97.50F)
2.) Coryza
3.) Weakness
4.) Headache

Thirst
increased

1.08

36

Bry 30

1.26
39
Afebrile

1.31
37
Afebrile

1.42
36
Afebrile

Improved
Afebrile
and
symptoms
better

Thirstless

1.04

43

Gels. 30

1.31
35
Afebrile

1.44
39
Afebrile

Afebrile

Improved
Afebrile
and
symptoms
better

DISCUSSION
There is no specific treatment for dengue fever in conventional medicine, antipyretics and fluids being the only options.(5)
On the other hand homoeopathy offers a huge scope with wide range of readily available medicines as remedy selection is
based on individualistic symptoms of the patients ascertained after proper case taking. As evident in the report 82%
patients showed both clinically and investigative improvement with homoeopathic management. Medicines like arsenic
album (10 patients), bryonia (6 patients), gelsemium (4 patients) and eupatorium (3 patients) were commonly indicated. It
is inappropriate to comment upon the Genus epidemicus (medicine which is given for treatment and prevention to majority
patients of an epidemic, selected after careful study on a large patient population) from the above report, as the study
involves limited number of patients.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
We express our gratitude are thankful to Dr. Surinder Verma, principal/HOD & Dr. V.K. Chauhan, Prof. Dr. B. R. Sur
Homoeopathic Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre for their supervision and guidance throughout the study.
We also extend our indebtness to Dr. Mukesh Chawla , Medical Supdtt. & Dr. Asha Chowdhary, H.O.O. whose constant
support has helped us taking this study in an effective manner.

REFERENCES:1.) Srikiatkhachorn et al, Natural History of Plasma Leakage in Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever: A Serial Ultrasonographic
Study. The pediatric infectious Disease Journal. 2007;vol.26, Number 4; Pg.283-290.
2.) Park K., Parks Textbook of Preventive And Social Medicine. M/s Banarsidas Bhanot Publishers, India; 22nd Ed. 2013;
pp 224-232.
3.) Sainani G. S., API Textbook Of Medicine. Jaypee Publishers; 6th Ed. 1999; Ch-57.
4.) http://www.who.int/csr/resources/publications/dengue/034-47.pdf as accessed on 10.10.2015.
5.) http://www.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/dengue-fever/overview.html as accessed on 10.10.2015.