Dengue- Pronounced as "DENGEE"

Dengue Fever is a highly debilitating mosquito-borne disease mostly seen in tropical countries. It is a viral infection where a human acts as the reservoir while the disease is transmitted by mosquitoes.

The threat of Dengue is increasing day by day due to the increase in the number of breeding mosquitoes. It is very important to manage Dengue Fever very carefully otherwise it may lead to severe complications.

• 80% people are usually asymptomatic in the beginning, or may present with a mild fever.

FEVER PHASE

• The fever is typically biphasic or saddleback nature, which means that it pauses and returns back in two days. The patient feels that his symptoms of Dengue are reducing but the fever and pains always return in a heightened manner.
• Devastating body ache, headache and backache that usually show no response to painkillers.
• Nausea and vomiting are common because the virus tends to cause gastritis.
• Petechiae or red spots on the skin of the legs or chest caused by small broken blood vessels (capillaries) may be seen if the platelet count falls considerably.
• In some severe cases, petechiae can club together to form a typical rash described as "Islands of white in a sea of red."
• Extreme form of prostration and drowsiness.

CRITICAL PHASE

The redline symptoms of Dengue in this phase include

• Decreased blood pressure
• Accumulation of fluid in chest and abdomen
• Bleeding from digestive tract
• Decreased pulse rate
• Circulatory failure if bleeding is not controlled

RECOVERY PHASE

The chief symptoms of Dengue in this phase include

• Fits
• Altered level of consciousness
• Itching

• Dengue is caused by an RNA virus of the Flavivirus family. It is transmitted from person to person by the bite of the Aedes Aegypti mosquito.
• These mosquitoes generally breed in still water sites like flower pot plates, ornamental or domestic containers filled with water, open and closed drains and gully traps.

Complication of Dengue generally begin between 3-4 days of untreated fever. They include:

• Dehydration: This is among the commonest complications of Dengue because of plasma leakages occurring within the blood vessels. As there is lesser fluid left to circulate throughout the body, the patient goes into a state of dehydration.
• Hemorrhage: If platelet levels fall rapidly, the patient can start bleeding easily from various sites, the commonest being under the skin. This gives rise to multiple red spots that can join together to form bigger patches of blood. There is easy bruising and delayed clotting of blood. The patient can begin bleeding even from the digestive tract and nose.
• Liver damage: The Dengue virus can have a direct adverse effect on the liver leading to its partial damage or complete failure.
• Neurological damage: Complications of Dengue include involvement of the brain leading to fits or seizures and encephalitis.
• Dengue Shock Syndrome: This occurs when a dengue-infected person, usually a child below 10 years of age, goes into collapse with manifestations of weak pulse, cold, clammy limbs and bluish hue around the mouth (due to lack of oxygen in the blood). There is easy bleeding from various sites in the body including blood in the stool, spitting and vomiting of blood and nosebleed.

• Homeopathy has proved excellent in the treatment and prevention of further complications of Dengue.
• Homeopathic treatment for Dengue follows the dictum of holistic and individualistic health in which both, physical as well as mental symptoms of the case are considered while prescribing the remedy.
• The remedy in homeopathic treatment for Dengue is carefully selected along with the potency depending upon the susceptibility and reactions of the patient.
• The individually selected remedy not only tackles the present symptoms of the patient but also prevents the after-pains and long-standing weakness generally associated with Dengue.

Here is a glance at some of the remedies prescribed in homeopathic treatment for Dengue:

Do’s

DURING FEVER:

• Give large quantities of fluids with light diet.
• Advice complete bed rest.
• Repeated blood tests are necessary to monitor platelet counts and haematocrit.
• Timely intravenous fluid substitutes to counteract plasma leakage.

FOR THE SURROUNDINGS:

• Breeding places of mosquitoes must be destroyed.
• Nets must be used for protection from mosquitoes.
• Cleanliness of the surroundings is a must.

Don’ts

• Do not give Aspirin or any NSAIDs for the fever or pain because Aspirin is a blood thinner and NSAIDs exacerbate plasma leakage.
• Never delay treatment especially if symptoms like red spots, bleeding from any site, black stools, excessive drowsiness, breathlessness, paleness of skin and frequent vomiting occur.

• Orange juice is a good digestive and antitoxic and can play a positive role in Dengue treatment.
• The juice of leaves of Papaya tree are said to rapidly increase platelet count.
• Have light food which is non-spicy, preferably including easily digestible pulses.
• Green tea is a great immunity booster and contains beneficial anti-oxidants
• Avoid fast food, fried food, excessive spices and salt.