KARACHI: At least 21 patients suffering from dengue fever have been admitted to the hospitals within a period of one week, Sindh Health Department's Dengue Surveillance Cell revealed.
A total of 126 dengue cases have been reported since January of this year. The data is collected from hospitals registered with the government and update the concerned authorities on the matter regularly.
With monsoon yet to set in, the Sindh dengue surveillance cell has already recorded more than 100 dengue fever cases, which may increase after the rains.
According to World Health Organizaton, the disease is transmitted by the bite of an Aedes mosquito infected with any one of the four dengue viruses. It occurs in tropical and sub-tropical areas of the world. Symptoms appear 3-14 days after the infective bite. Dengue fever is a febrile illness that affects infants, young children and adults.
Symptoms range from a mild fever, to incapacitating high fever, with severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pain, and rash. There are no specific antiviral medicines for dengue. It is important to maintain hydration. Use of acetylsalicylic acid and non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs is not recommended.
Dengue haemorrhagic fever (fever, abdominal pain, vomiting, bleeding) is a potentially lethal complication, affecting mainly children. Early clinical diagnosis and careful clinical management by experienced physicians and nurses increase survival of patients.