After you’ve been bitten by a dengue-infected mosquito, symptoms will appear typically four to seven days later. These symptoms generally last about three to ten days.
Dengue without warning signs is usually identified by the presence of a fever (40 degrees Celsius/104 degrees Fahrenheit) and two or more of the following: nausea or vomiting; a rash that causes the face to redden and red patches to develop on arms, legs, chest, and back; body ache and pain; low white blood cell count; swelling of glands in the neck and behind the ear. Dengue with warning signs is classified similarly to dengue without warning signs, but patients in this category exhibited one or more of the following: abdominal pain; persistent vomiting; fluid accumulation in abdomen and lungs; bleeding from gums, eyes, nose; lethargy or restlessness; enlarged liver. Such warning signs indicate that the dengue infection may be serious and could progress to associated bleeding and organ failure, or what is called dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF). If one or more of the above symptoms are present, the subsequent 24-48 hours of dengue infection could be lethal without proper hospital care.
Severe bleeding or blood in urine Severe fluid accumulation in abdomen, lung Loss of consciousness Involvement of other organs, such as heart, leading to further fluid accumulation, low pressure, high pulse rate If any of these symptoms are present, take the person immediately to the nearest hospital.
Home care is an option only if the patient meets the following three requirements: 1) there are no warning signs present; 2) the patient can tolerate adequate fluids orally; 3) the patient can pass urine at least every six hours. [6] X Research source World Health Organization (WHO) and the Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR). Dengue guidelines for diagnosis, treatment, prevention and control 2009. Note that there is no specific medication or cure for dengue. Treatment mostly focuses on treating the symptoms of dengue. [7] X Research source
Use window and door screens at home to prevent mosquitoes from entering. Use mosquito nets while sleeping. Wear clothes that minimize skin exposure to mosquitoes. Apply mosquito repellent to exposed skin. Repellants like DEET, picaridin, and oil of lemon eucalyptus are effective. Children should not handle repellents. Adults should apply repellents to their own hands first and spread them on the child’s skin. Do not use repellents on children under two months old. Prevent the breeding of mosquitoes by draining stagnant water around the house and cleaning water storage containers frequently.
Because dengue often causes significant tiredness and lethargy, it’s important that patients get plenty of rest and progress back into their daily routines with caution. [9] X Research source
Do not give the patient aspirin, ibuprofen, or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. These can increase the risk of bleeding in those with dengue. [11] X Research source
Adequate fluid intake decreases the chance that a patient with dengue will have to be hospitalized. Men and women (ages 19 to 30 years) should aim to drink three liters and 2. 7 liters of water per day, respectively. Boys and girls should have 2. 7 and 2. 2 liters of water daily, respectively. For infants, the intake is 0. 7-0. 8 liters/day. You can also prepare a juice using papaya leaves for dengue patients. Papaya leaf extract has been reported to increase platelet count in dengue patients. [12] X Research source Subenthiran S, Choon TC, Cheong KC, Thayan R, Teck MB, Muniandy PK, et al. Carica papaya leaves juice significantly accelerates the rate of increase in platelet count among patients with dengue fever and dengue haemorrhagic Fever. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2013;2013:616-737. , although there is not yet firm clinical research to support this. [13] X Research source Sharma N, Mishra D. Papaya leaves in dengue fever: is there scientific evidence? Indian Pediatr. 2014 Apr;51(4):324-325.
The patient’s temperature. Since temperature varies during the day, it is preferable to record it at same time daily. This will make your daily reading reliable and valid. Fluid intake. Ask the patient to drink from the same cup each time; this will make it easier for you to remember and keep track of the total volume consumed. Urine output. Ask the patient to urinate into a container. Measure and record the amount of urine each time. These containers are commonly used at hospitals to measure 24-hour urine output. You will be provided with one or can inquire about it at the hospital.
High fever Severe abdominal pain Persistent vomiting Cold and clammy extremities (could be due to dehydration or blood loss) Lethargy Confusion (as a result of poor water intake or blood loss) Inability to pass urine regularly (at least every 6 hours) Bleeding (vaginal and/or bleeding, bleeding from nose, eyes or gums, red spots or patches on skin) Difficulty in breathing (due to fluid collection in lungs)
Intravenous means “within a vein. " In other words, liquid substances will be infused directly into one of the patient’s veins via a syringe or intravenous catheter. The recommended first-line IV fluid is crystalloids (0. 9% saline). [16] X Research source Doctors will monitor the patient’s fluid intake through IV due to newer guidelines recommending a more cautious intake of IV fluids than in the past. This is because overhydration can cause adverse effects, including intravascular fluid overload, or a flooding of the capillaries. For this reason, in most cases, doctors will administer fluid in increments, rather than a constant flow. [17] X Research source
A transfusion can entail transfer of fresh blood into the patient’s system or just platelets, which are parts of the blood that help the blood clot and are smaller than red or white blood cells.
The effects of corticosteroids on dengue infection are still undergoing medical trials and are as yet inconclusive. [19] X Research source
