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Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne disease with symptoms like high fever, body aches, and joint pain, which can progress to severe complications if left untreated.
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To manage fever at home, use paracetamol, stay hydrated, and eat softer foods, but seek medical help if symptoms worsen or persist.
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Prevention measures include wearing protective clothing, using mosquito repellents, and eliminating standing water to reduce mosquito breeding.
Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne disease that can cause severe symptoms like high fever, body aches, and joint pain. If left untreated, it can progress to severe complications like organ failure and even death. Dr. Basavaraj Kuntoji, Consultant, Internal Medicine at Manipal Hospital, notes that there has been an increase in dengue patients during the monsoon season, highlighting the need for awareness and precautions.
To manage fever at home, use paracetamol up to 4 times a day, and stay hydrated by drinking water, coconut water, ORS, buttermilk, and fresh fruit juices. Eat softer foods and watch for serious symptoms like severe vomiting, abdominal pain, confusion, or giddiness upon standing. If these symptoms occur, seek immediate medical help. If your platelet count drops below 50,000, consider hospitalization.
Prevention measures are crucial in reducing the risk of dengue fever. Stay in clean, well-ventilated areas, and wear protective clothing like long sleeves, pants, shoes, and socks outdoors. Use mosquito-repellent creams, lotions, and coils, and curtains, drain standing water, and apply mosquito-repellent sprays in gardens in the morning and evening. Remember, even after recovering from one serotype of dengue, you can still get infected by another, so always stay vigilant against mosquito bites.
