FIT WebQoof: There’s No Medical Cure For Dengue, Say Experts

In 99% cases, dengue ‘cures’ itself, and all of these claims of medicines are false, confirms a doctor.

(Photo: FIT)

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About half the population of the world is under threat by dengue, according to World Health Organization. India too struggles with it, especially around monsoon every year.

Delhi faced 830 dengue cases this year. In the first week of October, 350 cases were witnessed according to a Delhi Municipal Corporation report from 15 October.

Amidst this increasing dengue scare, there is no end to WhatsApp forwards about how to treat it. Some of them mention ways to end dengue within 48 hours. Other ‘health tips’ include coconut oil to repel mosquitoes and eating cardamom to increase the platelet count.

In more recent news, the following forward is making the rounds.

In 99% cases, dengue ‘cures’ itself, and all of these claims of medicines are false, confirms a doctor.(Photo Courtesy: Social Media)

The photo mentions very specific combinations of different liquids to fight dengue. FIT reached out to Dr Sumit Ray, specialist of internal medicine at Ganga Ram Hospital, and he emphasised that dengue is self-curing in 99 percent cases and, therefore, does not require specific medical intervention.

Dengue is a self limiting viral illness. In 99 percent of cases there are no complications and it is self curing. There are no medical cures for dengue. A subset of less than 1 percent patients can get severe dengue, which needs medical intervention, in the form of intensive supportive care, to tide over the crises and for the person’s body heals itself.

Dr Sumit Ray

When it comes to taking care of yourself or someone else struggling with dengue, Dr Ray specifically recommends keeping the body well hydrated.

During the phase of fever, which lasts for about five days, one should keep oneself well hydrated with lots of fluids. If there is excessive vomiting, tightness in abdomen or severe prostration, one should contact a doctor or medical facility.

Dr Sumit Ray

He further emphasises that it’s important to keep a close watch on the platelet count.

The platelets tend to drop after the fever starts coming down, which is after the fourth or fifth day of the beginning of fever. Keeping track of the platelet levels in those who have decreasing trend is important.

Dr Sumit Ray

Blood transfusion may be required only if the count falls below 5000-10,000 or there is bleeding.

Platelet count becomes worrying if it goes below 50,000. The platelets start rising on their own in most patients after eight-nine days of the beginning of fever. So, dengue “cures” itself in 99 percent of times and all of these medicines are false claims. Only in severe cases, as described above, does the patient need hospitalisation.

Dr Sumit Ray

Homeopathy Has Lots to Offer Against Dengue, But Consult an Expert First

Dengue affects the liver and leads to altered liver function. None of these medicines can take care of that. (Photo: iStockphoto)

Similarly, Dr Priyanka Mehendiratta, a leading homeopathic doctor in Delhi, comments on this and says that every dengue case is different and there can be no single cure for all.

Dr Bishambhar Das was a very intelligent homeopath and author of several books on homeopathy. The medicines mentioned are not exactly how he had suggested, he never mentioned these drugs directly. There is much more in homeopathy to be given in dengue. These medicines in the forward are just for general viral fever which can also be given in dengue, but individual approach is a must. 

Dr Priyanka Mehendiratta

She further adds that dengue affects the liver and leads to altered liver function. None of these medicines can take care of that. Thus, it’s important to consult your homeopathic doctor directly.

Every patient of dengue shows different symptoms. For instance, none of these medicines in the picture can be given for dengue hemorrhagic fever. Just mix these three and you will be cured is a wrong statement. This message is being forwarded by people who don’t know much about dengue or homeopathy

Dr Priyanka Mehendiratta

Clearly, combinations of medicines in this forward are not a cure for dengue. Don’t be a webqoof and fall for these social media forwards, and please always consult a doctor before taking any medication.

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