Dengue fever also known as breakbone fever is an infectious tropical disease caused by the dengue virus.

It is the most rapidly spreading mosquito-borne viral disease in the world with a wide clinical spectrum.

In the last 50 yrs incidence has increased 30 fold with increasing geographic expansion to new countries.

Aedes mosquitoes are the carriers of the dengue virus.

The mosquito breeds in the artificial accumulation of water in and around human dwellings such as water found in discarded tins, broken bottles, fire buckets, flower pots, coconut shells etc.

It takes about 7-8 days to develop virus in the body and develop the disease that is the period of entry of the virus through mosquito bite to the appearance of symptoms is 3-10 days.

Manifestations of dengue fever include -

1) A severe headache

2) Retro-orbital pain, pain behind the eyes which worsens with movement

3) Myalgia - Muscular pain

4) Arthralgia - Joint pain

5) Rash around abdomen, chest and upper limbs

6) Mild haemorrhagic manifestations( petechiae, mucous membrane bleeding)

Fever and other symptoms follow a saddleback sequence that is brief remission of fever after 3rd day followed by rising in temperature again after 1-2 days. Fever may be associated with Nausea and vomiting 

Diagnosis - 

Blood test include Complete blood count for leucocyte, platelet and haematocrit

Dengue NS1 Antigen

IgM, IgG antibodies - IgM positive indicates recent dengue infection and IgG positive indicates old dengue infection and person has suffered from dengue sometime in the past.

General management -

Rehydration plays a major role and all efforts must be directed to maintain adequate fluid intake such as intake of Oral Rehydration Solution( ORS), lime water to replenish losses from fever.

HOMOEOPATHIC APPROACH -

Homoeopathy has a long record of success in the treatment of epidemics. 

The line of treatment is holistic and individualized and selection of medicine is based on individual response to infection, the severity of disease and clinical presentation of the case.

Homoeopathy has the potential to reduce the intensity of fever, headache, body ache, weakness, loss of appetite, nausea and probability of developing further complications.