All you want to know about dengue

Tests and diagnosis of dengue

All viral illnesses are easy to diagnose but specifically identifying one is hard to do as symptoms can be common across different diseased like malaria, leptospirosis and typhoid fever. In case dengue is suspected, the blood can be tested for the dengue virus, but general supportive treatment is usually begun empirically based on symptoms.

Treatment of dengue

Classical dengue fever is self-limiting and can resolve itself in 7 to 10 days. The patient is made comfortable by keeping the fever low with paracetamol or other prescribed drugs, allowing plenty of bed rest and giving lots of fluids. Aspirin and brufen may cause bleeding and are best avoided.

If the patient shows symptoms of DHF or DSS, he or she should be taken to the hospital immediately. In such cases, IV fluids, platelet count checking and vital signs monitoring become mandatory. Transfusions can also be given to replace blood loss, if required.