Is Dengue Fever Curable?

Dengue fever is a mosquito borne disease caused by dengue virus. It is common in India ,particularly in the monsoon season. Features of dengue includes sudden high fever, severe headache, body ache, severe joint and muscle pain, pain behind eyes, nausea, vomiting ,fatigue, skin rash, bleeding for nose and gums.

Patients with weakened immune systems or with recurrent infection can develop more serious type-dengue haemorrhagic fever .Dengue fever is not curable, but there are ways to treat the symptoms.

Aspects associated with Dengue:

• First of all we can say that dengue is a self limiting disease in most of the cases. Because there is no antiviral available for dengue.
• Dengue usually develop after an incubation period of 10 – 40 days after a bite .There is a period of about one week of acute symptoms followed  by a few days of recovery period.
• In a typical dengue infection symptoms rarely extend beyond two weeks. There is no specific medicine to treat dengue infection.
• For fever and pain relief acetaminophen/paracetamol is advised. One must not take aspirin for pain on fever in dengue because aspirin increases the risk of bleeding.
• Paracetamol tablet can be taken as and when needed.cIn dengue fever rest is important. One should avoid exertion and extreme weather
• Drink plenty of fluids –ORS, Coconut water, Juices should be taken to avoid dehydration.
• One must be under regular supervision of doctors. Doctor can easily identify sign of deterioration .Regular Blood check up to platelet count is important to plan proper management.

Symptoms associated with Dengue:

Mild or moderate Dengue:

• Aching muscles and joints
• Body rash that can disappear and then reappear
• High fever
• Intense headache
• Pain behind the eyes
• Vomiting and feeling nauseous.

If platelet is too low doctors can transfuse platelets in life threatening conditions.Thus though dengue fever is not curable, proper care under a specialists medical supervision definitely helps in recovery from illness.

Like many other diseases for which definitive treatment is not available, care of affected person by proper nursing  medical care is important and if needed infusion of intravenous fluid helps recovery of patients.