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Early detection is vital; with out well timed care, dengue can progress quickly and will require hospitalisation.
Dengue is not uncommon or seasonal, it’s a rising public well being concern. Local weather change, urbanisation, and misinformation have worsened the issue
Yearly, dengue impacts households and family members, making it a actuality that’s not possible to disregard. It has develop into a year-round illness, with instances now being reported even through the winter season. Early detection is vital; with out well timed care, dengue can progress quickly and will require hospitalisation.
Whereas consciousness concerning the illness has elevated, misinformation has unfold simply as broadly. It’s important to grasp the info about dengue so that folks know when to hunt medical consideration and may also play an lively function in prevention.
Dr Amit Saraf, Director, Inside Drugs, Jupiter Hospital, Thane, shares what you want to know:
Delusion 1: Dengue solely impacts individuals with weak immunity
Truth: Dengue can have an effect on anybody, together with younger and wholesome adults with robust immunity. Research present that dengue impacts all age teams, with younger adults (21–30 years) generally contaminated. Nonetheless, sure teams usually tend to develop extreme dengue, together with younger youngsters, older adults, and folks with situations akin to diabetes, hypertension, weight problems, coronary heart illness, kidney illness, or respiratory sicknesses.
Delusion 2: These contaminated with dengue as soon as can’t be affected once more
Truth: Dengue is brought on by a virus with 4 distinct serotypes, all of that are current in India. An infection with one serotype gives lifelong immunity solely to that particular sort, that means an individual may be contaminated as much as 4 instances of their lifetime. Research have proven that re-infection is commonly extra extreme than the primary an infection. A second an infection will increase the chance of extreme dengue, together with problems akin to bleeding, shock, or organ harm, as a result of antibodies from the primary an infection could worsen the response to a distinct serotype as an alternative of defending in opposition to it.
Delusion 3: Platelet depend is the one indicator of dengue severity
Truth: Dengue severity is set by the general medical course, not by platelet depend alone. Through the vital part, problems akin to fluid leakage, bleeding, or organ harm can happen even when platelet ranges should not very low. Signs can worsen quickly, making shut medical monitoring important. Focusing solely on platelet counts can delay well timed care and enhance the chance of problems.
Individuals with dengue ought to intently monitor their signs. In the event that they expertise extreme belly ache, persistent vomiting, fast respiratory, bleeding from the gums or nostril, blood in vomit or stools, extreme thirst, pale or chilly pores and skin, or excessive weak point, they need to search speedy medical consideration.
Delusion 4: Dengue is just a monsoon illness
Truth: The mosquitoes that unfold dengue, Aedes aegypti, thrive in heat and humid situations and are not restricted to the monsoon season. Dengue has develop into a perennial illness in western and southern components of India. Local weather change has accelerated its unfold, as rising temperatures, elevated humidity, and altered rainfall patterns create very best situations for mosquito breeding. Whereas dengue was as soon as primarily seen throughout and after the monsoon, the chance now persists all year long.
Delusion 5: Dengue mosquitoes breed in soiled water
Truth: Dengue-transmitting mosquitoes don’t require soiled or polluted water to breed. They generally breed in clear, stagnant water present in home and peri-domestic settings, akin to water coolers, flowerpots, buckets, overhead tanks, discarded containers, and family water storage vessels. This false impression usually leads individuals to miss clear water sources at residence, that are among the many most typical breeding websites for dengue.
Delusion 6: Dwelling treatments can remedy dengue
Truth: Many individuals consider that treatments akin to papaya leaf juice, goat milk, crab soup, or giloy juice can remedy dengue, and a few rely solely on these strategies. This may be harmful, as dengue can progress quickly to life-threatening problems.
Dengue usually begins with flu-like signs, together with excessive fever, headache, physique aches, nausea, and rash. Nonetheless, sure signs are extra suggestive of dengue, akin to very excessive fever, extreme headache with intense ache behind the eyes, excessive muscle and joint ache usually described as “bone-breaking,” persistent vomiting, and delicate bleeding, together with small pores and skin spots or straightforward bruising. As a result of signs can worsen rapidly, it is very important seek the advice of a health care provider as quickly as they seem.
Dengue is not uncommon or seasonal, it’s a rising public well being concern. Local weather change, urbanisation, and misinformation have worsened the issue. Believing myths can delay remedy and result in severe outcomes. The most effective safety in opposition to dengue lies in verifying data, searching for early medical care, eliminating mosquito breeding websites, and taking preventive measures all year long.
January 25, 2026, 09:50 IST
