Dengue

[Doc Alan]

Doc.. Would most GP`s or UK hospitals know how to diagnose/look after a patient that just arrived from a Dengue ridden country showing the usual Dengue symptoms?

Yes
Here are the reasons:
Every good doctor should take a clinical history (including recent travel, drugs, immunization, sex, and occupation).
There are a surprising number of causes for a fever. "Fever of Unknown Origin" (FUO) has been recognized for 50 years.The causes include infections (most common cause in children), cancers (such as lymphomas in older people), "connective tissue" diseases (such as rheumatoid arthritis), others (such as drugs). However, with the tests now available routinely to UK doctors (blood, imaging, biopsies) few FUO's remain undiagnosed. Dengue can be readily diagnosed by clinical and blood tests.
Dengue is the most important mosquito-borne infection after malaria. With a clinical history as given by Fred every competent GP should include dengue as a possible diagnosis, but only after considering other possible causes. If a patient was ill enough to refer to hospital, in every case there are physicians and medical microbiologists to make the correct diagnosis and treatment. The Hospital for Tropical Diseases at University College London is an NHS hospital dedicated to treatment of tropical diseases if required (Cheryl Cole - "X Factor" judge - was treated there for malaria).
The two problems with dengue are not the diagnosis or supportive treatment. They are :- no vaccine (many development programmes are on going) and no antiviral drugs (shamefully because of insufficient interest / funding).

[Doc Alan]

brilliant question here fred

Most health care workers are not brilliant
Faced with a fevered patient recently back from the tropics a reasonable doctor (judged in comparison to others of similar experience) would think of tropical diseases A brilliant doctor would think of another dozen possible causes for the fever An unreasonable doctor (Dr Tinkle aka Kenneth Williams in the film "Carry on Doctor") would prescribe cold baths, 4 hourly, night and day ...without investigation...and be struck off the Medical Register

[jonnijon]

Hi guys,she is getting better thank you all.I know it takes months to get back to full health,but she is on the right road.

[Doc Alan]

That's great news !

[fred]

Thank you Doc..Thats good news. Must say Im surprised there haven't been more cases or fatalities reported in the the UK.. given how many now travel there from all over Asia.

[fred]

ScienceDaily (May 10, 2010) — Some of the human immune system's defences against the virus that causes dengue fever actually help the virus to infect more cells, according to new research published May 6 in the journal Science.
The researchers behind the work, from Imperial College London, hope their new findings could help with the design of a vaccine against the dengue virus. The study also brings scientists closer to understanding why people who contract dengue fever more than once usually experience more severe and dangerous symptoms the second time around.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...0506141603.htm

[Doc Alan]

Must say Im surprised there haven't been more cases or fatalities reported in the the UK.. given how many now travel there from all over Asia.

There were only 154 probable or confirmed cases in England and Wales in 2008. This could be due to under-reporting (dengue is not a "notifiable infection", unlike malaria for example). Since most people recover it could also be under-diagnosed, or they might not go to their GP. If the symptoms are severe it should certainly be diagnosed. The good news is that the mosquito transmitting dengue is not present here, and someone with dengue cannot pass it on to anyone else in the UK

[Talim]

Hello, is she better now ?

I got Dengue few weeks ago, and few kids died in my neighborhood in Sta Rosa this year, i know of a 5 year boy and a 15 year girl, very near my place...( Did not went to Hospital on time ! or not enough money, pity! )

I was on my way to Europe and after a week in Bangkok prior to fly to europe got very weak, postponed my flight for few days and finally went to doctor after 3 days in bed !

Symptoms were: Cannot eat anything - Weak - Muscle pain legs and arms - simple can't do anything...- developed a fever at 38.9 C.

After blood test, positive for Dengue, stay in hospital was docs request... I proposed a return visit next day for a new check...

Day after still fever, dizziness, can barely eat, immune system weakening, platelets decreasing, so then after hearing doctor about what could happen :

Blood might come out from any place in or out of the body as platelets decreased, once near 0 platelets, catastrophy, internal bleeding, brain, lungs, ears, nose any place...

So i staid in hospital, Dextrose to hand for 3 days and 2 nigths, went ot Europe 1 week late but ALIVE and healthy...

Hospital is advised for DENGUE !

I heard that kids with Dengue normally have to change full blood volume...

Was told that :

- It will bread inside for around 10 - 12 days before the break out

- lasts around 10 days

- if not treated in hospital, extremely dangerous, but easy treated and inexpensive in hospital,

[Talim]

Forgot to mention !

NO ASPIRIN if you have Dengue, DANGEROUS ! Really not advised was told !

PARACETAMOL is OK and good with Dengue, relieves pain as well...

[Talim]

A postman died few years ago in Geneva, Switzerland, he was working near airport...

The doctor told him to stay in bed, only bad fever. No one was expecting it to be Dengue, the guy never went abroad.

The mosquito probably came within one airplane!

[Talim]

Good to hear
she is good now !

Myself 3 weeks later, fully back on track i believe, but yes was weak and tired the 2 weeks after hospital...

[jonnijon]

Hi guys,just an update.She still has a cough and has spells of feeling faint.The doctor has been giving injections daily,what it is I dont know,she is also on dextrose and vitamins.So its just the waiting game now.

[Terpe]

jonnijon, sorry to hear she is still not fully recovered.
As you say it seems just a waiting game now.
How does she feel? Does she feel she is making daily improvements?

[jonnijon]

Hi Terpe,she has her days sometimes good and others feeling very down

[Rosie1958]

I do hope that your good lady is gradually getting better. Please give her our best wishes for a speedy recovery

[jonnijon]

Thanks for all your support guys,she seems to be well on the mend now

[Terpe]

Good News.
Happy days again
Best regards to your asawa

[Doc Alan]

The news we had hoped for !