Dengue Fever

A Doctor's Perspective
"Dengue is a widespread mosquitoborne infection affecting human beings. In recent decades, the global prevalence of this disease has increased drastically," says Dr. Bushra Jamil, Associate Professor, Department of Medicine and Consultant Infectious Diseases at Aga Khan University. She elaborates that dengue virus gets transmitted to humans by the bite of female Aedes mosquito. "Dengue is considered to be a non-contagious disease. It does not transmit from a person to another person. However, it is usually advisable for dengue patients to use mosquito nets. The infected person has virus in his blood and there is a high chancethat this disease gets transmitted to others with the mosquito bite," adds Dr Bushra. Dengue virus can be of various types. It has been present in our region for a long time. The first case of dengue was reported in early 90s in Karachi. Later, a sudden increase in the number of dengue patients was observed in 2005. "The period from May to October is considered a peak season for the spread of dengue fever. However, when the weather begins to get cooler, dengue cases start declining," states Dr Bushra Jamil. Mentioning the reason behind the current surge in dengue cases she says, "Dengue is spreading at an alarming rate in our society because of the introduction of new dengue virus serotype 3. When dengue symptoms appear in any person, it is not necessarily important to go for specialised laboratory tests. The treatment could be started after initial clinical diagnosis. Patients with medium dengue fever are considered as outpatients and there is no need to hospitalise them. In dengue fever the number of platelets gets decreased whereas an increase in blood hematocrit is found. The symptoms of uncomplicated dengue fever include high temperature within one week of infection, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, ache in joints and muscles, nausea and vomiting. The symptoms of dengue hemorrhagic fever include high fever, capillary leakage and bleeding tendency. The patients with dengue hemorrhagic fever should be hospitalised in a semi-intensive care unit. "For the treatment and management of dengue fever it is necessary to properly train young doctors and other paramedical staff. Early diagnosis plays an important role in reducing the fatality rates," states Dr Bushra. While talking about the medication given in case of dengue fever she says, "No specific medication or vaccination is required in dengue treatment. The disease can be managed with the simple oral fluid therapy." Dr Bushra clearly mentions that when it comes to dengue treatment, desi totaks such as intake of papaya leaves' juice are of no use. "We have closely monitored patients who use home remedies such as papaya leaves juice for the treatment of dengue fever and have found that the number of platelets reaches its normal value in its own time and it has nothing to do with any juice," she says. Paracetamol is usually prescribed in severe pain. In case of high temperatures Paracetamol is given and the patient is advised to take shower or go for sponging. She further adds, "Make sure that a patient takes atleast 3 litres of fluid a day. Flavoured fluids can also be given to the patient. Plain water should be avoided and salty fluids with potassium and sodium contents should be consumed." According to Dr Bushra preventive measures should be taken on individual basis to control the

spread of this disease. Use of mosquito repellents and sprays is highly encouraged. It is better to keep yourself covered while going outside. Eliminate mosquitoes breeding sites, they usually lay eggs in stagnant water and moist places so it is better to dry out any wet places and keep water stores clean and covered.

Homeopathy Can Help Combat Dengue!

The formula is as follows: RHUS TOX./ EUPATORIUM PERF./ CHINA OFF./ LEDUM PALUSTRE/ GELSEMIUM/ 5CH/ a. Just take this formula to a homeopathic pharmacy and they will know what to do. The formula can be made in globules (sacarose), tablets (lactose), or drops (alcohol at 30%) at any homeopathic pharmacy. Include next to the components of the above formula your choice of: globules 12g, or tablets 12g, or drops 15ml This formula should be used for dengue prevention in the following manner: Take 3 globules or tablets or drops once a day while the epidemic season lasts. This formula can be taken by adults as well as children of any age, except that children should not use the alcoholbased drops. The globules or tablets should be slowly dissolved in the mouth. For babies, the mother can dissolve 2 globules in a teaspoon of water to facilitate administration of the medicine. If the baby is being breast-fed, the mother can take 6 globules before nursing, since the effect will pass to the child through the mother's milk. Pregnant women can use this formula. This formula can be given to babies of any age that are not being breast-fed. It should be used for the treatment of dengue or even a suspected case of dengue, as follows: Take 3 globules (or tablets or drops) every two hours and then, as the symptoms improve, begin spreading out the administration of the medicine to once every three hours and then once every four hours, etc., until complete remission of the symptoms. In cases of dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) or even suspicion of DHF (that is, platelets below 150,000), particularly in the case of children, add the following two medicines to the above treatment: PHOSPHORUS, 12 CH, 4 globules or tablets or drops taken in the morning; and CROTALUS, 12 CH, 4 globules or tablets or drops taken in the evening, until the platelets return to normal. Don't stop taking the other formula. Act quickly. The alcohol at 30% is indicated for patients who can't use sugar (diabetics). Take it with a little water. It's obvious that for children, the tablets are better. Use the globules for anyone who is lactose intolerant or allergic to milk.