Monsoon Surge in Dengue Cases: Doctors Urge Caution and Early Detection

While the monsoon has provided relief from the sweltering heat, it has also led to a spike in dengue cases across various parts of the country, including Karnataka, Kerala, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Maharashtra. On Sunday, doctors advised caution and emphasized the importance of early detection to improve outcomes.

Dengue, a vector-borne disease, is transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito. These mosquitoes thrive in warm and humid environments, making the disease endemic to more than 100 countries.

“Children are at a higher risk of contracting dengue fever, presenting with more varied symptoms than in previous years. Typically, dengue manifests as a brief febrile illness with vomiting, abdominal pain, decreased appetite, and general myalgia. However, this season, even children with atypical upper respiratory infections and gastroenteritis are testing positive for dengue,” Santosh Kumar, Senior Consultant and Lead in Paediatrics & Neonatology at Motherhood Hospitals, Banashankari, Bengaluru, told IANS.

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Karnataka has reported 5,374 cases and five deaths from dengue, Telangana has reported 882 cases, and Andhra Pradesh has reported cases of both dengue and malaria. Odisha has seen 288 cases, and Ernakulam in Kerala has recorded 400 cases.

Symptoms Of Dengue

Symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, muscle and joint pain, and rash are early indicators of dengue.

Dengue fever typically results in community outbreaks, making early diagnosis crucial. While the disease is usually self-limiting, it can progress to severe dengue, also known as dengue hemorrhagic fever or dengue shock syndrome, in some cases.

Persistent vomiting, abdominal pain, mucosal bleeding, and signs of circulatory failure may indicate a more severe case of dengue.

“Early diagnosis allows for timely administration of medications to alleviate these symptoms, improving the patient’s comfort and quality of life during the illness,” said Aravinda S N, Lead Consultant in Internal Medicine at Aster RV Hospital, Bengaluru, to IANS.

“Early diagnosis not only benefits the individual patient but also plays a crucial role in preventing the spread of the dengue virus to others. Identifying and isolating infected individuals early in the course of the illness can help prevent further transmission of the virus to mosquitoes, breaking the cycle of dengue transmission in the community,” he added.

Doctors also emphasized the importance of maintaining adequate hydration levels due to fluid loss from fever, vomiting, and diarrhea, which can lead to dehydration and electrolyte imbalances.

Experts advised people to take protective measures, such as avoiding standing water where mosquitoes can breed, using mosquito repellents, and wearing protective clothing.