F0 home treatment for dengue fever, what to do?

Pandemic COVID-19 complicated developments, coinciding with the outbreak of dengue fever in the southern provinces. Statistics from the An Giang Department of Health show that the number of dengue fever cases since the beginning of the year has increased by 145% compared to the 5-year average (2015-2020). Compared to the same period in 2021, the number of cumulative cases increased by 229%, the number of cumulative dengue shock cases increased by 227%. Therefore, many people suffer from both diseases at the same time.

How dangerous?

Dengue fever is an infectious disease caused by the dengue virus. The disease occurs year-round and usually increases during the rainy season, with the main vector being the Aedes Aegypti mosquito. Dengue fever occurs in both children and adults.

The initial signs of dengue are quite similar to COVID-19 so it is easy to confuse, symptoms usually last about 2-7 days after an incubation period of 4 to 10 days due to mosquito bites. pathogens.

The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies the disease into two main categories, including: Dengue fever (with/without warning signs) and severe dengue. Most cases of dengue fever recover on their own after about a week. However, about 5% of patients are at risk of progressing to severe, life-threatening disease if not treated properly and promptly. To detect dengue as early as possible, rapid test method Dengue NS1 antigen by blood test.

Although COVID-19 and dengue fever appear to have similar symptoms, the pathogenesis is very different. COVID-19 will cause damage to multiple organs such as the respiratory system (difficulty breathing, respiratory failure, pulmonary fibrosis, ..), blood clotting disorders that cause embolism, the cardiovascular system (myocardial infarction), the cardiovascular system (myocardial infarction), and the cardiovascular system. Digestive (diarrhea, nausea), …

In contrast to COVID-19, dengue fever causes acute fever, accompanied by hemorrhage in the skin and mucous membranes and thrombocytopenia in the blood. In addition, it may be accompanied by other symptoms such as abdominal pain, nosebleeds, blood in the teeth, pale color, cold all over, vomiting blood and passing black stools.

Patients with weak immune systems (children, the elderly, with underlying diseases,…) when co-infected with both diseases are very likely to fall into dangerous situations. Therefore, special monitoring and appropriate treatment is required.

Notes on treatment

According to the Ministry of Health’s protocol, with moderate or higher COVID-19 cases, corticosteroids will be considered. However, corticosteroids are contraindicated in people with dengue because they can cause more severe gastrointestinal bleeding.

Fever is a common symptom in both diseases. However, do not use aspirin, ibuprofen to treat dengue because the drug aggravates bleeding, increases the risk of stomach bleeding, which is life-threatening. For paracetamol, avoid continuous overdose because it will lead to liver toxicity and reduce the body’s immunity, even when used as suppositories in children. Only take paracetamol when fever (maybe 4-5 times / day and 4-6 hours apart).

Resuscitation is one of the basic treatment of dengue fever. In mild dengue hemorrhagic fever must be rehydrated early by oral, encourage the patient to drink a lot of oresol solution or cooled boiled water; fruit juices such as coconut water, orange juice, lemon juice… or diluted porridge mixed with salt. However, to be able to safely administer fluids, without excess fluid in the body and worsening respiratory failure, it is necessary to take the patient to the hospital to receive an examination and calculation from the doctor. specialist doctor.

F0s who are being treated at home with dengue fever can self-isolate, exercise gently, and maintain a healthy lifestyle nutrition suitable, eat a lot of fruits and vegetables, drink a lot of water and supplement with minerals and vitamins to increase resistance.

For children who have a fever for 3 consecutive days without any sign of improvement, chest tightness, fatigue, lethargy, vomiting, refusal to breastfeed, and cold all over the body, the child should be taken to the nearest and fastest hospital for timely treatment. .