Dengue is commonly thought to be a disease of the monsoon. But that pattern is slowly changing, with dengue cases are now being reported during the summer months as well. Since dengue is still largely believed to occur only during the rainy season, early signs and symptoms may not be taken seriously or considered as regular cold.
This is alarming because if left untreated, dengue can escalate quickly, leading to major complications. This is why awareness should not be restricted to monsoon only. Being aware prevent life-threatening situations!
In a conversation with HT Lifestyle, Dr L. Sudarshan Reddy, senior consultant physician and department of internal medicine and clinical director at Yashoda Hospitals, Hitec City, Hyderabad, traced the reasons behind this pattern shift and shared lesser-known warning signs of dengue.
Why is summer seeing cases of dengue?
The dengue cases in summer are not random. Climate change is also responsible for dengue-carrying mosquitos to survive and spread the virus.
A common pattern every summer is that temperatures seem to break new records and make headlines. Dr Reddy believed that this rise in temperature is also driving dengue infection risks. “Even a one-degree Celsius rise can increase the risk of dengue infection by up to 13 percent,” he said.
But summers lately have become increasingly erratic. After weeks of harrowing heatwaves, there may be sudden spells of rain, followed by intense humidity. The physician noted that all these factors combined can increase breeding opportunities for dengue-carrying mosquitoes, especially in dense urban environment. “All these changes in summer season are extending the transmission window and pushing dengue into areas that were previously considered low risk.”
Signs of dengue
What is the most common concern in dengue? “When someone is diagnosed with dengue, the first concern people have is a dropping platelet count,” the physician answered.
But this is not the only way to measure the severity of the illness. Dr Reddy informed that serious complications such as fluid leakage, massive bleeding or organ failure define severe dengue, and these may not always be directly linked to platelet levels.
But why does dengue detection get delayed? To which, the doctor opined that by nature it is ‘deceptive.’ How is it deceptive? He reasoned that the symptoms mimic other illnesses, it frequently appears to improve just before turning dangerous, and can become life-threatening within hours, sometimes even when platelet levels aren’t critically low.
Here are 5 critical warning signs as outlined by the physician that indicate dengue may be turning severe, especially when the fever starts to subside:
1. Severe abdominal pain
- Mild stomach discomfort is common in dengue, but severe abdominal pain can be a sign of a more serious form of the disease. One of the most common warning signs of severe dengue,
- Persistent stomach pain and an increasing inability to consume oral fluids are important warning signs .
- This happens when the virus can cause plasma leakage from blood vessels, putting vital organs under stress and leading to the accumulation of fluid in the abdomen.
2. Bleeding from gum, nose, urine, stool, under the skin
- Severe dengue can lead to internal bleeding. The immune system’s response to fight the virus can cause the blood vessels to leak, while the body’s blood clotting mechanism is impacted.
- Watch out for bleeding from the gums or nose, throwing up blood, blood in the urine or stool, heavy menstrual bleeding, or bleeding under the skin that looks like bruising.
- Loss of blood from internal bleeding can also lead to dangerously low blood pressure and organ damage.
3. Rapid breathing or difficulty breathing
- Fluid leaking from blood vessels can collect in the lungs, making it difficult to breathe.
- If a dengue patient breathes faster than usual or feels short of breath, it may be a sign of severe dengue.
- Any breathing difficulty in dengue should be treated as a medical emergency.
4. Persistent vomiting and loose stools
- Feeling nauseous is common with dengue, but repeated vomiting and loose stools are not normal.
- If a dengue patient vomits at least three times a day, they should immediately consult a doctor.
- Early sign that their body is struggling to cope with the infection.
5. Restlessness, irritability, or sudden fatigue after seeming to improve
- When the patient seems to recover, suddenly they feel extreme weakness, lethargy, and restlessness. This is false recovery.
Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
