Dengue fever is a dangerous medical condition that can lead to serious complications. Therefore, knowing how to safely and effectively treat dengue fever at home is crucial. Let’s explore this topic in the following medical article. This article has been consulted with Associate Professor Doctor Cuong Do Duy , Director of the Tropical Disease Center at Bach Mai Hospital.
How to safely and effectively treat dengue fever at home
When someone is diagnosed with dengue fever, treatment at home during the first few days, typically from day 1 to day 3, may not exhibit symptoms because the immune platelet count has not decreased, and there is no blood leakage. Therefore, patients can be monitored at home during this period.
Accompanying the symptoms of fever, patients may feel tired and lose their appetite. In such cases, fever-reducing medications can be used. However, it’s important to note that when using fever-reducing medication, paracetamol is a safe option when used as directed by a physician. Many people prefer paracetamol due to its safety for both adults and children. Nevertheless, there are certain medications that should not be used, so it’s important for patients to consult with a healthcare professional.
Regarding the dosage, you can take 4-6 tablets per day, with a 4-hour interval between doses. Take one tablet at a time.
Additionally, physical methods like warm compresses, cold compresses, and staying hydrated with fruit juices can be helpful. Patients should also consider supplementing their diet when they cannot eat during the fever phase to aid in a faster recovery.
Warm compresses and following the doctor’s instructions are safe ways to treat dengue fever at home
When to Seek Medical Attention?
Starting from day 4 and beyond, if blood tests show thickened blood or if there are warning signs such as fatigue, nausea, abdominal pain, cold extremities, or bleeding, it is essential to visit a hospital. In cases of mucosal hemorrhage, subcutaneous hemorrhage, or bloody stools, especially in females, there may be symptoms such as prolonged menstruation or uterine bleeding. More severe signs include vomiting blood or bloody urine. These are indications that the illness has progressed to a critical stage and necessitates a hospital visit for examination and treatment.
Patients should have their platelet count tested. If the platelet count is low, patients should be admitted for observation. A more severe condition occurs when the platelet count is below 20, or below 10, 5 along with dengue fever. Therefore, platelet count testing is crucial for timely treatment and platelet count restoration. However, it’s important to note that when platelets are reduced, they will naturally recover after the recovery period due to bone marrow production, returning to normal.
Furthermore, the condition of thickened blood, as indicated by Hematocrit blood tests accompanied by cold, pale extremities, dehydration, and decreased urination, should be monitored closely by the patient.
Important Notes for Home Treatment of Dengue Fever
1. Caregivers
In the current circumstances, many students living away from home or in shared housing may not have anyone to care for them.
When diagnosed with dengue fever, it is essential to have a family member or caregiver to monitor and provide care
2. Fluid Resuscitation as Prescribed
Regarding fluid resuscitation, it is vital to follow the guidelines set by the Ministry of Health. Home-based fluid resuscitation should not be attempted without clear treatment protocols. Common mistakes in fluid resuscitation, such as administering fluids too early, too quickly, or in incorrect doses, can lead to fluid overload. In the later stages, these excess fluids will be reabsorbed by the body, making treatment difficult, or it can lead to complications like shock due to platelet infusion or the use of non-recommended intravenous solutions.
3. Dangerous Symptoms
During the critical phase from day 4 to day 7, patients may experience a reduction in fever. Many people mistakenly believe that fever reduction is a positive sign of recovery and, therefore, become complacent and avoid seeking medical attention. It’s important to note that dengue fever-related deaths are often due to such complacency, where patients delay their hospital visit or receive improper treatment after a perceived reduction in fever.
One of the warning signs of dengue fever is a significant increase in liver enzymes to over 1000, a platelet count below 50, an increased Hematocrit level, and an inability to eat or have a caregiver. When these signs appear, it becomes difficult and dangerous to treat the patient.
Hematocrit blood tests help monitor health parameters during dengue fever
Hematocrit blood tests are a quick and straightforward way to monitor the condition, and they can be done at home or at local healthcare facilities in just 15-30 minutes. Through these tests, one can monitor the platelet count and Hematocrit levels, which are the two most critical indicators that should be checked daily or every two days. Specifically, when the platelet count gradually drops or Hematocrit increases by 20% compared to the previous test, the patient should be promptly taken to a healthcare facility. Dengue fever causes blood vessels to expand, leading to fluid leaking through the lungs and liver, resulting in thickened blood. When patients experience pain in the liver area, it is not a sign of pressure in the liver. Alongside liver pain, swelling of the gallbladder or the gallbladder itself requires an ultrasound for appropriate fluid resuscitation. High-molecular-weight solutions help retain fluid within the vascular system, increase permeability, and draw back fluid, regulating blood circulation to nourish the body. Therefore, when administering fluids, it should be done according to the doctor’s instructions, with particular attention to cases that require high-molecular-weight solutions or crystalloid fluids, blood transfusions, or platelet infusions.
Patients or their caregivers can perform blood tests at home and send the results to a specialized physician for specific advice on how to safely treat dengue fever at home. Not every dengue fever case requires hospitalization. What’s essential is that patients undergo testing, and a specialist may permit outpatient treatment for mild cases and hospitalization for severe cases.
This article has shared information about “How to safely and effectively treat dengue fever at home” and related knowledge. However, it’s important to remember that dengue fever can lead to serious complications, and ensuring professional medical monitoring and care is crucial. If you or a loved one is suffering from dengue fever, please contact a doctor or a healthcare facility for proper guidance and safe treatment.
Kiểm Duyệt Nội Dung
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