Dengue outbreak in India: Several parts of India are currently witnessing a surge in the cases of dengue. In the Southern part of India, there has been an exponential rise in dengue cases.
According to experts, the states witnessing highest cases are Karnataka, Maharashtra, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Delhi and West Bengal. Data from the National Center for Vector Borne Diseases Control, India has recorded 19447 cases of dengue and 16 deaths till 30th April 2024.
“Recent insights from Practo indicate a significant rise in dengue-related queries across several cities. Overall, India witnessed 240% growth in searches for dengue from May to 2nd week of July. Bangalore is the highest contributor in number of searches and witnessed 270 percent increase during the same timeline followed by Hyderabad and Pune,” Dr. Akanksha Saxena, General Physician, Consults on Practo told Financial Express.com.
‘Women are children experiencing high rates of dengue’
This year, women and children are experiencing higher rates of dengue compared to previous years, Dr. Saxena revealed. “Children contracting the disease for the first time generally exhibit milder symptoms and less severity than adults. However, the recent surge in dengue cases is marked by sharper symptoms, including a steep rise in temperature up to 104 to 105 degrees Fahrenheit,” she told Financial Express.com.
Platelet counts are showing a more dramatic decline, leading to increased cases of dengue haemorrhagic fever and shock, along with typical manifestations, she claimed.
She also said that patients are presenting with a variety of symptoms that closely resemble malaria, typhoid, and chikungunya fever.
What are some of the definite signs of dengue?
7 definite signs of dengue are:
- Abdominal pain or tenderness
- Persistent vomiting
- Fluid accumulation in body parts
- Fatigue weakness
- Internal bleeding in form of hemorrhagic rashes
- Liver enlargement more than 2 cms
- Laboratory findings of increasing HCT with decreased platelets count in CBC report
‘Prevention is better than cure’
According to Dr. Saxena, prevention is better than cure but effective measures to prevent dengue will go a long way. “During this time, our innate immunity plays a crucial role in quick recovery from diseases and in preventing serious consequences like dengue haemorrhagic fever,” she told Financial Express.com.
To boost your immunity, incorporate the following foods into your diet:
- papaya,
- kiwi,
- citrus fruits (such as oranges, pineapple, amla, lemon, and cranberry),
- garlic,
- ginger,
- turmeric,
- almonds,
- spinach,
- and yogurt.
“Additionally, stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids like coconut water, hot soups, and fresh juices,” Dr. Saxena told Financial Express.com.
She also warned that in case of fever, use paracetamol and avoid NSAIDs such as ibuprofen as painkillers, as they can cause hemorrhage.
Some basic 4 S rules for dengue prevention can help a lot:
- Search and destroy mosquito breeding places
- Secure self-protection from mosquito bites
- Seek early consultation in case sign and symptoms appear
- Say Yes to fogging to prevent disease outbreak