A 48-year old builder in Ahmedabad died on August 10 of what is suspected to be dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF). A death audit is on but if confirmed, it would be the first death due to DHF in Ahmedabad this year. According to the WHO, a patient enters what is called the critical phase normally about 3-7 days after illness onset. During the 24-48 hours of critical phase, a small portion of patients may manifest sudden deterioration of symptoms. It is at this time, when the fever is dropping (below 38°C/100°F) in the patient, that warning signs associated with severe dengue can manifest. Severe dengue is a potentially fatal complication, due to plasma leaking, fluid accumulation, respiratory distress, severe bleeding, or organ impairment.
What makes dengue fatal and should you be concerned?
While a majority of dengue cases are non-fatal, about two per cent cases may become fatal. Mortality in terms of total positive dengue cases is less than one per cent. During onset, we never know which patients can turn serious or fatal. So, we must take precautions from the first day of symptoms itself. The supervision time is usually seven to 12 days. If an individual is fairly okay until the seventh day, one can safely assume that the case is non-fatal and will report an uneventful recovery. When uncomplicated dengue changes to dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF) or dengue shock syndrome (DSS), then it can be fatal.
Don't miss | Are mosquitoes biting you more than your friends?
There is no treatment for dengue. We administer a broadly supportive treatment unlike malaria where we have anti-malarial drugs which can be administered from day one and reduce the chances of the disease turning fatal. Healthy individuals and comorbid individuals are more or less equally susceptible to slipping into severe disease, although those with multiple comorbidities are more prone to severe disease. We do find fatality in individuals with no prior comorbid conditions but elderly and paediatric individuals are more prone to developing severe complications.
When is the crucial period when DSS/DHF can set in and what are the signs you should look out for?
It can happen anytime in the 7-12 day observation period but generally the symptoms of severe disease progression show up between the second and fourth days, with a complex case behaving in a different manner compared to a non-severe case. Complications include low blood pressure and organ failures of the liver, kidney and brain, which can cause internal bleeding. When these symptoms show up, we can say the patient is going towards DHF or DSS.
The WHO has listed several warning signs like severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, rapid breathing, bleeding gums or nose, fatigue, restlessness, liver enlargement and blood in vomit or stool.
If patients manifest these symptoms during the critical phase, close observation for the next 24 – 48 hours is essential so that proper medical care can be provided, to avoid complications and risk of death. Close monitoring should also continue during the convalescent phase, according to the WHO.
What is the usual treatment course when it comes to DHF/DSS?
Most Read 1Asian Games 2023 Day 10 Live Updates: Lovlina Borgohain qualifies for gold medal match, Abhishek-Ojas set up all-Indian archery final; bronze from Canoe sprint and boxing 2Jawan box office collection day 26: Shah Rukh Khan’s blockbuster refuses to slow down, nears Rs 1100 crore worldwide gross 3Navya Naveli Nanda makes her debut at Paris Fashion Week, Aishwarya Rai walks the same ramp. Watch 4After Tejasvi Surya asks Karnataka govt to reconsider carpooling ‘ban’, transport minister Reddy says apps need permission 5World Cup: Hasan Ali’s father-in-law in Nuh, Haryana waits to see his grandchild for first time when India meet Pakistan at Ahmedabad
Once DHF/DSS sets in, treatment is supportive. There is a prescribed protocol for each organ support. For example, for low blood pressure, there are drugs given to increase blood pressure. If the patient is bleeding internally, that would indicate low platelets. So, we do platelet transfusion or other blood product transfusion — plasma or cryoprecipitate. If there is kidney failure, a patient might require dialysis support. For respiratory issues, a patient may require ventilator support.
Do previous bouts of dengue make one less susceptible to severe progression in subsequent bouts?
Also ReadIndia@75: She was India’s first test test-tube baby. Kanupriya Agarwal, 4…Right or left arm? What is the right way of measuring BPKnow why beetroot is great for heart, diabetes and gut healthWhat if I cannot sleep more than 5 hours despite my best efforts? How to …
No, a prior history of dengue does not grant any protection against a severe bout. In fact, in rare cases, we have seen an exaggerated response in subsequent bouts. One theory is that the immune system is already primed to fight against dengue and during a second attack, the body may produce an exaggerated response, which may lead to severity. Prevention of mosquito bites is the only way out.