Dengue fever
Time to be watchful, not worried
A child, seen in the photos is suffering from dengue fever rests at a hospital.
The recent rise in the number of dengue fever cases creates panic throughout Bangladesh, especially in Dhaka city. Experts said — with the advent of rainy season, it is usual to expect spike in the number of cases and urged people to pay attention to caution note, not to be panicked. Dengue viruses are transmitted to humans through the bites of female mosquito named Aedes aegypti. Some 2.5 billion people — two fifths of the world's population — are now at risk of contracting dengue virus. Bangladesh is one of the most seriously affected countries in the world where dengue epidemic becomes a major public health problem. The clinical features of dengue fever vary according to the age of the patient. Infants and young children may have a fever with rash. Older children and adults may have either a mild fever or the classical incapacitating disease with abrupt onset and high fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pains and rash. Dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF) is a potentially deadly complication that is characterised by high fever, often with enlargement of the liver and shock. The illness often begins with a sudden rise in temperature accompanied by facial flush and other flu-like symptoms. Platelet (a type of blood cell) count starts falling after 5 to 6 days when the fever subsides and rises again usually 2 to 3 days latter. People pay less attention during the period thinking that the fever is gone. Experts said that this is the most critical time when people should be watchful and should seek medical advice if they experience any unusual feelings. Laboratory investigations like platelet count or anti dengue antibody to diagnose dengue fever is recommended after 5 to 6 days. Before the period lab tests would reveal nothing as it takes time to appear the change in the blood. Many people consider blood or platelet transfusion an inevitable part of treatment in dengue fever. But in very few instances like shock, extreme low platelet count, transfusion is required. Aspirin should be avoided. As dengue fever is a viral disease, antibiotics are generally useless, but not contraindicated. It can be given if the physician thinks about other bacterial co-infections like typhoid, respiratory tract infection etc. Experts recommended symptomatic treatment for dengue fever like Paracetamol to lower temperature and more fluid intake to replenish lost fluid or blood. At present, the only method of controlling or preventing dengue virus transmission is to combat the vector mosquitoes. Vaccines to immunise against dengue are underway but currently unavailable. Destroy the breeding place of Aedes mosquito — clean storage water like earthenware jars, metal drums, concrete cisterns, discarded plastic food containers, used automobile tyres and other items that collect rainwater. Although the incidence of infection is rising, proper medical treatment can reduce death rates to less than 1 percent. So, people should not get worried, rather to be watchful.
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