At a time when the world is reeling under the Covid-19 pandemic, anyone getting sick is generally assumed to be infected by the virus. However, it could be dengue fever too. Thus it becomes more important to know the symptoms of dengue, a vector-borne viral infection transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes.
Experts say one out of four persons infected by dengue will get sick. There are two kinds of dengue: mild and severe. The symptoms of mild dengue are different from severe. Since severe dengue is life-threatening, the patient is required to get treated at a hospital.
Mild dengue symptoms
Some of the common symptoms of mild dengue are:
- Fever
- Aches and pains (in eyes, muscle, joint or bone)
- Rash
- Nausea, vomiting
A dengue-infected person could show one or more symptoms, which last from two to seven days. However, in case of mild dengue, a person recovers within a week.
How to treat mild dengue fever
Doctors say there is no specific medicine to treat dengue. If you have symptoms of dengue (like fever), visit your nearest hospital and get yourself tested. Taking rest is the key to recovery. Doctors generally prescribe acetaminophen (also known as paracetamol) to reduce fever and relieve pain. They warn against taking aspirin or ibuprofen. Do drink a lot of water, water added with electrolytes or fruit juices to stay hydrated. Patients with mild symptoms can be treated at home.
Severe dengue symptoms
Out of 20 dengue patients, one is likely to develop severe symptoms. Dengue symptoms can turn severe within a few hours, say doctors. It is a medical emergency. The chances of dengue turning severe is more among those who already had the disease in the past. Women and infants are at higher risk of suffering from severe dengue. Severe dengue can lead to shock, internal bleeding and death.
The symptoms of severe dengue are:
- Tiredness, restlessness, or irritation
- Stomach pain, tenderness
- Vomiting (at least three times in a day)
- Vomiting blood or blood in the stool
- Nose or gum bleeding.
How to treat severe dengue fever
Severe dengue is a medical emergency. So, if you are experiencing the symptoms, it is important to see a doctor and get admitted to a hospital. Patients, if they are travelling, need to find health-care facilities immediately, doctors recommend.
