Dengue fever is an acute febrile disease that is usually reported in tropical and subtropical areas. It is caused by the dengue virus which is transmitted through the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito. The signs and symptoms of dengue fever include high fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, joint and muscle pain, rashes and mild bleeding, such as from the nose or gums. In more serious conditions, it can develop into dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) or dengue shock syndrome (DSS), which is fatal.
Understanding the Treatment of Dengue Fever
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Dengue fever is a disease that is caused by a virus and is transmitted through the bite of infected mosquitoes. At the moment, there is no cure for dengue fever, and this is why it is considered an infectious disease. Management is mainly palliative to reduce symptoms and avoid the development of complications. Here’s a detailed look at how dengue fever is treated:
1. Hydration and Fluid Management
An important factor that should be observed when treating dengue is fluid balance. Dengue fever causes severe vomiting, high fever and loss of appetite, leading to severe dehydration and other complications. It is recommended that patients should take water, oral rehydration solutions and juices in large quantities. In more severe cases, the patient may require intravenous (IV) fluids to replenish the body fluids and to balance electrolytes.
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2. Fever and Pain Management
Antipyretics and analgesics are used for the treatment of high fever and severe body pain. Paracetamol (acetaminophen) is the drug of choice for antipyresis and analgesia. However, one should not take aspirin or ibuprofen as they are NSAIDs that may lead to bleeding.
3. Monitoring and Supportive Care
It is crucial to monitor the patient’s vital signs and blood count frequently in order to manage dengue fever. It is common for healthcare providers to perform complete blood counts (CBC) to check the platelet count and hematocrit. A decrease in platelet count to below 100,000 is considered a sign of severe dengue and requires further monitoring and treatment.
4. Platelet Count Management
One of the most commonly seen critical symptom of dengue fever is thrombocytopenia, a condition in which the platelet count drops dangerously low. To increase the platelet count, you may consider taking:
A. Caripill Tablet
Caripill Tablet is one of the most popular herbal medicines that are prescribed for the treatment of low platelet count in dengue patients. The main component of Caripill is Carica papaya leaf extract which is believed to increase platelet count. Research has shown that the extract of the leaves of this fruit can be used in the management of low platelet count. Caripill is often used as an adjuvant therapy to other conventional dengue treatment measures.
B. Papaya Leaf Tablet
Papaya leaf extracts have been used in traditional medicine for their possible health benefits, such as increasing platelet count. It is believed that it boosts the production of platelets in the bone marrow. Papaya leaf tablets are usually taken alongside other medications to aid the treatment of dengue fever.
5. Rest and Recovery
Rest is critical for the body to heal after the dengue fever has attacked the body system. The patient is encouraged to avoid any form of rigorous activities and ensure that they rest adequately for the wound to heal. Sleep is beneficial to the body as it directs all its energy towards combating the infection and healing the affected areas.
6. Avoiding Further Mosquito Bites
It is important to avoid getting bitten by other mosquitoes to prevent other diseases or spread the dengue virus. The patients are encouraged to apply repellents, wear appropriate clothing and sleep under insecticide-treated bed nets. Minimising contact with mosquitoes not only benefits the patient but also prevents the transmission of the virus to other people.
Dengue fever is not a fatal disease but can be dangerous if not treated properly. Hydration, fever and pain control, blood count and platelet count are some of the important aspects of managing dengue. Caripill and papaya leaf tablets are some of the natural supplements that can be used to support the treatment of low platelet count but should be administered under the doctor’s prescription.