More than 2,000 dengue cases have been reported in Delhi
Dengue cases are rising in the country with more than 2,000 cases reported in the national capital Delhi. "The 1,238 cases, recorded till October 26, is more than half of the total number of cases of dengue logged this year," news agency PTI reported. It is also the highest number of dengue cases logged during the January 1-October 26 period since 2017, when the corresponding figure was 3,829, PTI reported quoting a report released by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD).
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The need of the hour is to prevent dengue by adopting safety practices like not letting the mosquitoes breed in vicinity, sleeping under mosquito nets, applying mosquito repellant sprays and creams, etc.
As much as it is important to prevent the disease from happening, it is crucial to debunk the myths associated with it. Diseases and myths go hand in hand and are one of the reasons for delayed medical assistance and remedy.
Here are 5 prevalent myths related to dengue which needs to be addressed:
Dengue is milder than COVID
It is pointless comparing two different diseases caused by two different pathogens.
The severity of both the diseases, one of which caused a global scare in the form of pandemic and the other which is an annual occurrence and puts immense burden on healthcare facilities and risk of human lives, can never be compared, overestimated or even underestimated.
Dengue and COVID can never happen simultaneously
There are several examples where dengue and COVID have been seen occurring at the same time in people. In Singapore, few cases have been reported where patients were initially tested negative for dengue but were hospitalized later due to persistent fever. The final diagnosis revealed co-infection with dengue and COVID.
Such co-infections have also been seen in India, Bangladesh, Thailand and several other places.
Dengue is not fatal
Dengue is very dangerous and can lead to severe complications which can have long lasting damaging effects on the body if not treated at the right time.
Dengue happens only once in a lifetime
No! It is possible to be infected four times and it is possible the second time can be severe than the first time.
There are four serotypes of the virus that causes dengue and the common belief that infection provides lifelong immunity from dengue is partially true. Infection provides immunity against only that particular virus of dengue, not from others. "Cross-immunity to the other serotypes after recovery is only partial, and temporary. Subsequent infections (secondary infection) by other serotypes increase the risk of developing severe dengue," explains the WHO.
Papaya leaf extract can cure dengue
Though it is widely believed that papaya leaf juice is good for improving the platelet count during dengue, scientific evidence supporting this is minimal.
Dengue is a serious infection. Do not rely on oldwives' tales to cure it. Shift the patient to a hospital immediately and take medical help.
Only timely medical intervention can save a person's life in such critical times.
Dengue: Symptoms to watch out for
Dengue begins with a severe headache, pain behind the eyes, pain in the muscle and joints, nausea, vomiting, swollen glands and rash.
In certain cases the infection gets serious due to plasma leaking, fluid accumulation, respiratory distress, severe bleeding, or organ impairment. Patients show symptoms like severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, rapid breathing, bleeding gums or nose, fatigue, restlessness, liver enlargement, blood in vomit or stool.