Dengue Or Fever? Here's How To Distinguish Between The Two

Reports of Dengue cases have increased drastically across the globe in recent times. World Health Organisation (WHO) has reported a hike from about 5 lakh cases in the year 2000 to 52 lakh cases in 2019. The majority of the cases are asymptomatic or mild and self-managed, hence the actual numbers might be under-reported. One of the most prevalent symptoms of dengue is fever. But, how do we distinguish between normal fever and dengue?

Dengue (break-bone fever) is a viral infection that spreads from a mosquito to a person. It is common in tropical and subtropical climates. For those who do not develop symptoms, it is a high fever accompanied by headache, body aches, nausea and rash. Some begin to recover in 1-2 weeks, while others who show severe symptoms need more care in a hospital.

During dengue fever, some symptoms are different and severe. A dengue patient can exhibit symptoms of severe joint and muscle pain, pain behind the eyes, bleeding from the nose and gums, easy bruising, red spots or itching in the body. Dengue fever can be confirmed if the platelet count shows low during the blood test.

Sometimes, after the fever goes away, it can exhibit far more severe symptoms like extreme abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, rapid breathing, fatigue, restlessness, blood in vomit or stool, being very thirsty, pale and cold skin and feeling weak. On the other hand, when you have a normal fever, it can be treated with antibiotics and goes away in a day or two.

If one sees dengue-like symptoms, especially in children, do not delay medical attention as it can be life-threatening. Early detection and treatment can lead to faster recovery. Keep monitoring the body temperature of your child and avoid dehydration. Advise them to drink water, fluids, electrolyte-rich drinks, water and freshly-made fruit juices.

Dengue is transmitted by mosquitoes, so make sure that there is no breeding ground in or around your house for the mosquitoes. This can help prevent the spread of diseases. Also, during the monsoon season, make sure your child stays indoors. You can use mosquito nets, screens and repellants to keep them away and protect yourself and your family from dengue.