Dengue is caused by mosquito-bite and it occurs in two forms
• Dengue fever
• Dengue haemorrhagic fever
MOSQUITO Aedes aegypti. Breeds in fresh and stagnated water. It bites during daytime.
VIRUS Flavivirus
INCUBATION PERIOD 2-7 days after bite of infected mosquito.
SYMPTOMS
• High Fever ( Saddle back fever)
• Bodyache, myalgia (muscular pain)
• Joint pain
• Severe headache, vomiting
• Retro-orbital pain (pain behind the eyes), photophobia
• Rashes
COMPLICATIONS
• Bleeding from nose, mouth, gums or under skin because in haemorrhagic dengue there is damage to blood and lymph vessels.
• Altered consciousness
• Encephalitis
• Very low blood pressure leading to shock
INVESTIGATIONS show
• Reduced platelet count
• Reduced WBC
• Antibodies of virus found in serum analysis.
TREATMENT
No specific treatment is there for Dengue. Patient is monitored under strict observation. Analgesics, Antipyretics and Broad spectrum Antibiotics are used along with symptomatic treatment which includes proper hydration and probable platelet replacement therapy. Asprin should be avoided. Patient generally recovers within two weeks.
PRECAUTIONS
• Eliminate water collection of any form as this mosquito lays eggs in clean, stagnated water. Add 1 tblsp of petrol in water-coolers.
• Prevent mosquitoes from entering the house by using insecticide vaporizers, mosquito nets and nets on windows/door panels.
• Use protective clothing (minimum exposure of hands and legs) and mosquito repellents on skin.
AYURVEDA OUTLOOK
• Drink as much water as you can in order to replace fluid loss. It will also help to bring down body temperature.
• Avoid eating solid foods until the fever is gone. You can replace the foods by drinking plenty of distilled water and/or juices.
• Fumigation with neem (azadirachta indica) leaves/neem stems or guggul (commiphora mukul) stems. These are also available in forms of agarbattis.
• Fruits rich in vitamin C like amla (embellica officinalis) are advised as vit.C helps in better absorption of iron. Chyavanprash can be taken as it is an immunobooster, blood purifier and increases blood count.
• 10-15 basil leaves should be chewed twice a day or these can be boiled in 200ml water on low heat. When half the quantity is left it can be taken 2-3 times a day. This strengthens the body’s defence mechanism.
• Neem-leaf extract can be taken twice a day. Neem is a purifying herb and is known for is anti-microbial properties.
• Half tsf raw haldi (turmeric) given with 1 glass of milk helps combat infection.
• In high fever papaya juice can be given as it has a cooling effect.
• To increase the blood count pomegranate juice/ black grape juice should be given.
A few other useful herbs are Saffron, Manjishtha (rubia cardifolia), Punarnava (boerrhiva diffusa), Giloy (tinospora cardifolia) , Brahmi (bacopa monnieri), Ashwagandha (withania somnifera), Yashtimadhu (glycirrhiza glabra). Some useful medicines are Sitopaladi powder, Haridrakhanda, Giloy satva, Sanjeevni tab., Amritarishta and Draksharishta. All the herbs mentioned here are said to help detoxify the liver, fight allergies, stimulate digestion, and boost immunity. They have anti viral, cleansing and antioxidant properties. They help the free flow of oxygen to the brain, help enhance digestion, improve circulation of blood and stimulate the appetite. So these herbs/medicines act holistically and help combat Dengue effectively.
Note: Self medication is not advisable. The medicines should always be taken under the supervision of concerned doctors.
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