Common signs of dengue
- Sudden high fever (it can reach 101 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit) or a mild fever of 100 to 101 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Severe headache and pain behind the eyes.
- Intense pain in the body, bones and muscles.
- A reddish rash or spots on the skin.
- Nausea, vomiting or loss of appetite.
If severe stomach pain, persistent vomiting, bleeding from the gums or nose, breathing difficulty or extreme weakness appears even after the fever has gone down, the patient must be admitted to hospital without delay.
What to do if infected
Plenty of rest: the patient must rest completely.
Fluids: give plenty of water, green coconut water, oral rehydration saline, lemon drink and liquid foods such as soup.
Controlling the fever: only paracetamol-type medicine may be taken to bring the fever down. No other medicine should be taken without a doctor’s advice.
Medicines to avoid: painkillers (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, naproxen or diclofenac must not be taken under any circumstances. They raise the risk of internal bleeding.
No antibiotics: dengue is a viral disease, so antibiotics have no role in it.
Steps at home
- Do not let water stand for more than three days in flower tubs, coconut shells, plastic containers or under an air conditioner or refrigerator.
- Always use a mosquito net when sleeping, by day or by night.
- Wear full-sleeved shirts and long trousers as far as possible.
- When going to open places you can use aerosol, mosquito repellent cream or coils.
Advice: if signs of dengue appear, see a doctor at the outset and have an NS1 or CBC blood test done, and stay alert without panicking.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report