Dengue

There are different opinions about where the name "dengue" came from. It is thought that the name might come from the Swahili phrase "ka-dinga pepo." Another idea is that the Swahili word "dinga" might have come from the Spanish word "dengue," which means "to be careful."

Dengue is an ancient disease. The first mention of it was found in some old Chinese medical records. It says that dengue was identified in China in the year 992. The fever was named "dengue fever" in 1779. Around the same time, it spread widely in Asia, Africa, and North America. Because it caused body pain, people called it the "bone-breaking fever." In the last 25 years of the 20th century, the disease spread a lot more.

Dengue is caused by a virus. In Bangladesh, it usually happens from July to October. The main symptom of dengue is fever, which can go as high as 99 to 106 degrees Fahrenheit. The fever can stay or come and go with sweating. Other symptoms include body pain, headaches, pain behind the eyes, and red spots or rashes on the skin. The type of treatment and whether you need to stay at home or go to the hospital depends on the severity of the dengue.

There are three categories of dengue fever: 'A,' 'B,' and 'C.' People in the first category (A) usually only have a fever and do not need to be admitted to the hospital. Resting at home is enough. Those in category 'B' might need to be hospitalized, especially if they have other symptoms like stomach pain, vomiting, diabetes, obesity, pregnancy, or problems with the liver or kidneys. Category 'C' is the most severe. It can damage the liver, kidneys, or brain, and sometimes ICU care is needed.

Dengue patients need to rest a lot and drink plenty of liquids like coconut water, lemon juice, fruit juices, and oral rehydration solution. Paracetamol can be taken for fever. A healthy adult can take up to eight paracetamol tablets per day. However, people with liver, heart, or kidney issues should consult a doctor before taking paracetamol. Platelet count is not the main concern in dengue anymore. There is no need to worry about it unless it drops below 10,000 or there is bleeding. In rare cases, platelets or fresh blood may be needed. In the later stages of dengue, blood pressure might drop, or there could be bleeding from the gums, nose, or rectum. In such cases, IV fluids may be required, and hospitalization might be necessary.

To protect yourself from dengue, experts recommend destroying places where mosquitoes lay eggs or where larvae grow. Make sure to get rid of any standing water around your house every three days.