Dengue Virus Revised

• By vishwa on Health

• August 10, 2016

I have revised my write up on dengue.  A gym client who frequents my gym in the morning insisted that my write up is abrupt.  I too felt the same, so I read about dengue thoroughly and present to you the updated version.  I hope it helps you.

Last week I was ill.  I was down with dengue virus and was admitted to the hospital.  Fortunately, I didn’t have to suffer more, as the platelet count recovered soon.  Two of my gym clients graciously donated their platelets, which helped to regain my platelet count back.   Moreover, the consulting doctor said to me that the virus I was infected was comparably mild, so treating me would be relatively easy. You all by now know that dengue is caused by a mosquito bite.  A mosquito bite which can turn very costly, as it can also rob of your life.

Dengue is caused by any one of four related viruses transmitted by mosquitoes.  It is an endemic disease, that is, it occurs every year usually when rainfall is optimal.  The worst case would be sequential infections putting people at greater risk for dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF).  The symptoms of dengue fever are high fever, severe headache, severe pain behind the eyes, joint pain, I had excruciating joint pain, rash, and mild bleeding.

 

Likewise, one predominant health parameter that mattered more was that I am not marred with lifestyle diseases like diabetes and high blood pressure.  The doctors and the nurses where all ears in knowing my blood sugar and blood pressure status.  I am now forced to believe that if you don’t possess these deadly diseases, the doctor’s job becomes much easier.  These two diseases are markers for a doctor’s prognosis.   That is, without these ailments the doctor can treat you without any inhibitions.  A healthy lifestyle dominated with vigorous physical exercise helps for sure.

 

However, dengue will notoriously sap your energy.  Perhaps, it has to do something with the lack of platelets, or the antibiotics that are pumped into the body–the immune system goes for a toss. On a similar note, please note that there is no specific medication for treatment of a dengue infection.  However, antibiotics are administered to contain other co-infection.  But all said and done, an antibiotic is useless in dengue.

If you ask me what’s the take home message?  I will say that prevention is the best cure hands down.  Since, as I stated earlier, there is no vaccine available against dengue, and there is no specific medication to treat dengue infection, prevention is the most important step.  You can wear full sleeve shirts, socks, etc.  You can also use a mosquito repellant cream on your exposed body.  Likewise, remove stagnated fresh water, as dengue virus carrying mosquitoes are known to breed in fresh water.  Likewise, a dengue infected mosquito is usually known to bite in the early morning.  Moreover, admission to a hospital will not only sap your energy but also drain your pocket.  So, don’t neglect a mosquito bite, it can turn out to be very costly.  As I reiterated prevention is the best cure.  Period.