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Dengue fever is a disease transmitted by the bite of a mosquito carrying one of its dengue virus strains (DENV). Mild dengue fever will have symptoms like fever and influenza-like symptoms, while Dengue haemorrhagic fever can cause life-threatening bleeding, decreased blood pressure, and death.
Dengue fever is prevalent in tropical and subtropical climates, including sections of Central and South America, Africa, Asia, and the Pacific Islands. Sporadic outbreaks have occurred in Europe and the southeast US. According to estimates, almost 400 million individuals are infected with dengue each year, although the vast majority (roughly 80 per cent) do not exhibit symptoms.
Symptoms of Dengue
Numerous dengue-infected individuals have no symptoms. Within 10 days of a bite from an infected mosquito, the individual will experience symptoms like other infections, such as influenza.
Dengue fever can have fever of up to 104 deg F or 40 deg C and one or more of symptoms like the following: (a) Headache, (b) Muscle, Bone, and Joint Pain, (c) Nausea and Vomiting, (d) Swollen Gland, and (e) Rash.
Most people recuperate within a week or so. In severe instances, dengue fever can be fatal. Blood vessel destruction and leaking are signs of severe dengue infection. Platelets in the circulation drop, causing shock, internal bleeding, organ failure, and death. With dengue, there is a possibility of rapid onset of life-threatening dengue fever symptoms.
There are a range of symptoms may emerge within the initial few days:
- Significant abdominal discomfort or pain
- Continued vomiting
- Laboured or rapid respiration
- Fatigue
- Agitation or irritation
Causes of Dengue
The dengue virus is the cause of dengue fever. When a mosquito carrying the dengue virus bites you, the virus might enter your bloodstream and replicate. Both the infection and your immune system’s reaction might cause illness.
The virus can harm blood components that coagulate and structure blood arteries. Consequently, this affects your immune system and can lead to blood vessel leakage and internal bleeding, resulting in severe dengue fatal signs.
What Doctors May Prescribe for Dengue?
There is no tablet for dengue. Treat the symptoms of dengue and see a physician. Your physician may recommend a dengue medicine name like acetaminophen (Tylenol) to alleviate muscular discomfort and fever. Dengue fever patients should avoid aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, etc.), and naproxen sodium like Aleve, among others. These painkillers may increase the risk of bleeding problems associated with dengue fever.
If you have severe dengue fever, you may require the following: (a) hospitalisation for supportive treatment, (b) intravenous (IV) fluid and electrolyte replacement, (c) blood pressure monitoring, and (d) a blood transfusion to replace blood loss.
In addition, you should rest, drink plenty of water, and visit a doctor. You should seek emergency medical assistance if your condition worsens during the first twenty-four hours after your fever decreases.
An Overview of Acetaminophen
Physicians use acetaminophen to treat mild to moderate pain, moderate to severe pain when combined with opioids, and lower fever. Headaches, muscular pains, arthritis, backache, toothache, sore throat, colds, influenza, and fevers are common symtoms addressed. However, clinics can also administer acetaminophen intravenously.
Points to consider
Patients should not take this drug with severe liver disease. A toxic dosage of acetaminophen can induce liver damage or death. Adults and adolescents weighing at least 110 pounds should not take more than 1,000mg each dose or 4,000mg in 24 hours.
- Dosage for children: Children under 12 years old should not take more than five doses in 24 hours, using the prescribed milligrams per dosage based on their weight and age. Use only as prescribed by your doctor.
- Rise of overdose: Avoid taking more acetaminophen (also abbreviated as APAP)-containing medications, or you might have a lethal overdose.
Things to Avoid in Dengue
It is essential to note that there is no specific treatment or dengue medicine. The disease can cause moderate or severe symptoms. Mild symptoms are amenable to home treatment.
- Avoid Aspirin: As part of the suggested supportive therapy, aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid), aspirin-containing pharmaceuticals, and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (such as ibuprofen) should be avoided due to their anticoagulant properties.
- Do not self-treat: Avoid seeking over-the-counter dengue medicine for your symptoms. A pharmacist may provide nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and beta-lactam antibiotics (medications used to treat bacterial infections) to patients who report fever, throat pain, and body aches. There is a danger of complications when you use them without a prescription.
- The big difference: These drugs (amoxicillin included) may cause vomiting and diarrhoea. Amoxicillin is used to treat bacterial infections, not viral ones. Dengue is caused by flaviviruses, not by bacteria.
Medicine for Dengue Fever
You can cure dengue fever symptoms and improve your immune system. Any illness recovery demands time and effort. Our health needs time, rest, and proper nutrition to rebuild lost strength. Plant-based foods assist in healing, but others might make it more difficult. Here are some guidelines if you have dengue fever and want to lean about the best natural dengue antibiotics to help you recover faster.
- Vitamin C: The vitamin boosts immunity. Dengue fever patients should eat oranges, lemon, papaya, pineapple, and green leafy vegetables.
- Papaya power: Papaya extract contains the digestive enzymes papain and chymopapain. Enzymes assist digestion, relieve bloating, and heal other digestive issues. Papaya leaf juice increases platelet counts and make effective dengue treatment medicine.
- Iron-rich foods: Platelet levels frequently drop with dengue fever. The body requires iron for haemoglobin and platelet production. Platelets are needed to coagulate blood and reduce dengue-related blood loss. Beans and green leafy vegetables are iron-rich foods, which will boost platelet counts and speed up dengue fever recovery.
- Fluids: Water is vital for dengue fever recovery. Water helps. Take electrolyte-rich coconut water with white rice kanji (like potassium, calcium, sodium, and magnesium). Fluids maintain electrolyte and hydration balance.
Prevent Dengue From Spreading Within Your Home
Mosquitoes that bite an infected family member can bite and infect other family members. Allow the youngster or family member with a fever to rest and sleep under the protection of a bed net or use bug repellent.
Steps to keep mosquitos away:
(a) Eliminate all mosquitoes from the home and patios by emptying any water-holding containers.
(b) Install window and door screens to prevent mosquitoes from entering the home.
Dengue symptoms include fever, headaches, nausea, vomiting, and rash. Eye, muscular, joint, or bone aches and pains are common. Experts advise to consult your physician for dengue medicine to avoid side effects of certain medicines that may not suit you. Dengue fever is caused by one of four viruses: Dengue virus 1, 2, 3, or 4. Due to this, a person can become infected with the dengue virus up to four times throughout their lifetime. Dengue symptoms normally persist between 2 and 7 days. The majority of individuals will recover within a week. Acetaminophen based meds or paracetamol is a common medication to manage dengue symptom costs only Rs 200 for a box. The prices may vary across cities. Medicines for Dengue FAQS
What can one expect when infected with dengue fever?
Can one self-prescribe over-the-counter medicines to treat dengue?
Can a patient get dengue multiple times?
How long will it take for the dengue symptoms to subside?
What is the cost of dengue medicines?