Dengue fever is a painful, debilitating mosquito-borne disease caused by any one of four closely related dengue viruses. These viruses are related to the viruses that cause West Nile infection and yellow fever. An estimated 390 million dengue infections occur worldwide each year, with about 96 million resulting in illness. Most cases occur in tropical areas of the world, with the greatest risk occurring in the Indian subcontinent

Symptoms at a glance!!

  • Fever Joint Pains
  • Back ache/ Pain around the eyes, or the orbits of the eyes
  • Headache 
  • In the first 2-3 days, it is difficult to say whether its a dengue fever or any other fever, flu, infections etc. just by looking at the symptoms. Symptoms are more or less same in the initial days.

Next Three To Five Days

The above symptoms might increase in intensity.

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Increased Joint Pains
  • Some cases might develop widespread skin RASHES.
  • Few cases might show bleeding from nose and gums..

Early diagnosis of Dengue Fever?

Suspecting clinical symptoms and signs for earlier diagnosis

1. Extreme debility and weakness- Even the patient cannot sit up, must lie down 

2. High fever – 102-105 F

3. Relative bradycardia (very reliable)

Laboratory Tests

1. Total count becomes less (Leucopenia) –Earlier days

2. Dengue Ns1Ag becomes positive ( 0-4 days)

3. Dengue IgM becomes positive ( From 7th day onwards)

4. Dengue IgG becomes positive (From day 1 incase of secondary dengue- Extreme caution in these types as they are prone to develop Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) or Dengue Shock Syndrome(DSS)

5. Dengue Rapid Card test (20 minutes) includes all the above three tests (Ns1Ag, IgG, IgM)

6. If Card test does not reveal positive results, but the clinical suspicion is high we can go for IgM and IgG antibody for dengue(elisa) in the second week (Results take longer time)

7. Thrombocytopenia usually develops only after3rd day (4-7 days are highly critical) If Platelet count comes below 1 lakh, extreme caution is needed. 

8. Hb% and Haematocrit rises from 4th day onwards.

How do Homoeopathic medicines work?     

  • Homeopathic medicines are best at managing symptoms and complication of platelet reduction.      
  • Platelet count can be attained to normal within 2 days of medicine without platelet transfusion.
  • In cases where platelet count decreases even after transfusion also,homeopathic medicine works best.
  • Early measures can be taken to prevent dengue hemorrhagica which is deadly complication by checking Ig G and necessary medicines at the earliest to prevent the complication.

Preventives can also be taken by all age groups in prescribed doses are very effective.

Dengue Myths vs. Facts

Myth: All dengue cases are the same and must be dealt with in the same manner.

Fact: Dengue can be classified as dengue fever and severe dengue. A person is said to be suffering from severe dengue when there is capillary leakage. Patients who have dengue fever do not have capillary leakage. Type 2 and type 4 dengue are more likely to cause capillary leakage.

Myth: Everyone suffering from dengue must be hospitalized.

Fact: Dengue fever can be managed on an outpatient basis and patients who do not have severe abdominal pain or tenderness, persistent vomiting, abnormal mental status or extreme weakness, do not need hospitalization. Only patients suffering from severe dengue need hospitalization basis the discretion of their consulting doctor. One must always remember that 70% of the dengue fever cases can be cured just through the proper administration of oral fluids. Patients must be given 100-150 ml of safe water every hour, and it must be ensured that they must pass urine every 4-6 hours.

Myth: Dengue can never re-occur if you have had it once in the past.

Fact: There are four types of dengue infections, which exist in our country. While dengue from the strain cannot re-occur, that from a different strain can. A second occurrence dengue (secondary) is more serious than first infection (primary). In the primary infection, IgM or NS1 will be positive and in secondary infection IgG will also be positive.

Myth: This is the worst outbreak of dengue that Delhi has ever witnessed.

Fact: The present outbreak of dengue in the Capital is that of Dengue 4. The reason for a large number of cases is that Dengue 4 has spread in the capital for the first time. The outbreak of Dengue 2 in 2013 was more dangerous than the present Dengue 4 outbreak.

Myth: Platelet transfusion is the primary treatment option for people suffering from dengue fever.

Fact: Platelet transfusion is only needed in cases where the patient's counts are less than 10,000, and there is active bleeding. Unnecessary platelet transfusion can cause more harm than good. The best treatment for dengue is to administer large amounts of oral fluids to patients. For patients who are unable to take oral fluids, intravenous administration may be necessary.

Myth: Machine platelet count is accurate.

Fact: Machine platelet count reading may be less than the actual platelet count, and a difference of about 30,000 can occur.

Myth: Testing platelet levels alone accounts for complete and effective management of dengue.

Fact: A complete blood count (especially hematocrit) is needed to monitor prognosis and increased capillary permeability, which is the starting point of all complications. Falling platelet counts with rising hematocrit levels are most important.