HYDERABAD: Dengue cases in the state are reaching a critical stage. The cases have already crossed last year’s figures and are now inching closer to the level in 2019 when dengue created havoc.
As per official statistics from the state health department, 3,144 dengue cases have been reported till September 10. This is over twice the 1,293 cases reported during the same period last year. In 2019, the same period saw 4,169 cases. The sharp rise has led to doctors sounding an alert.
“While there is a lot of attention on Covid-19, there is little awareness about dengue. Even a slight delay in seeking treatment can result in the patient landing in ICU. We have seen cases worsening due to a delay of one or two days,” said Dr Ravi Kumar, senior professor, Niloufer Hospital.
The problem with dengue is that a patient can go from high fever to multiple organ failure within a span of two to three days. And often most people wait for a couple of days before seeking medical attention for fever — a delay that can be fatal in case of dengue.
Also, dengue’s effects can range from mild infection to severe illness.
“Life-threatening dengue often requires hospital care. Often, mild symptoms can be confused with other viral illnesses that cause fever, headache, rash or body pains. Generally, symptoms of dengue last for two to seven days and most kids recover after about a week,” said Dr Kanchan S Channawar, consultant paediatrician, Kamineni Hospitals..
She added, “Occasionally, it develops into a potentially lethal complication called severe dengue in one out 20 patients. It can result in shock, internal bleeding or even death. Infants and pregnant woman are at risk of severe dengue. Warning signs of severe dengue are abdominal pain or tenderness, three or more vomiting in 24 hours, blood vomiting, bleeding from nose and gums or in urine and stool, child being restless and irritable.”
As per official data from the state health department, 3,144 dengue cases have been reported till September 10. This is over twice the 1,293 cases reported during the same period last year
