If you're the first timer to hear this crap, don't worry -- read further. :)
My Dengue Experience...
The doctor said I have to do a blood test; since the dengue cases are now increasing in Shah Alam. So they took my blood sample. A tube. I was asked to come again for another blood test two days later.
After two days I went back for another blood test. The result was my platelet counts were decreasing; same goes to my white blood cells. They gave me three packs of 500mg paracetamol; and some vitamins... and asked me to come back the next day for another blood test.
So the next day I went for the third time wasting my blood for tests. Result: Decrease in platelet counts and becomes abnormal (normal platelet count in a healthy individual is between 150,000 and 450,000 per μl (microlitre) of blood). Mine was less than that. This time I was admitted to the ward.
As there is no specific treatment for dengue, what they did to me was the fluid replacement therapy.
That was the most boring part where I have to wait for all the IV solution goes into my body, drop by drop -- and made me feel like wanna pee all the time! ;p
Luckily they provide me with free food and TV!
After that I was discharged and was asked (again) to come back for another blood test. You know what? When you were asked to do this for once or twice, you'll be happy for doing it... but when that scary sharp needle goes into your body and steals your blood everyday; tube by tube -- that is too much and excruciating!
...but it's compulsory. This time I asked the doctor to send me to another hospital nearer to my real house in Cheras. I don't want to do it in Shah Alam. I want to go back home...
So the next day, I went to the Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (HUKM) and then to Hospital Kuala Lumpur (HKL). Don't ask why I changed the hospital.. This time, the blood doesn't want to come out as usual. Every day blood test made my arm becomes bruised and the nurse at that time was having difficulties in finding the vein.She tried to adjust the needle's position but it still doesn't work. Then she took out the needle and threw it away. She took another needle and this time, she took my blood from the vein at the back of my hand (like picture shown below). Then went to see a doctor and was asked to come back again.
The next day. Mum and dad were not around -- luckily my sister came back from Labuan (she works on the rig). She was the one who takes care of me while at home. She sent me to HKL for ANOTHER blood test... As usual, have to have another one the next day.
On the next day, I did another blood test (like my past days routine) and finally ... The doctor said the platelet counts and WBC had went back to normal and she gave me a clean bill of health... and the best part was, NO MORE BLOOD TEST needed!
Alhamdulillah (All praises to ALLAH), I'm well on the way to recovery. Thank you everyone who took care of me, sending 'get well soon' wishes -- phone calls, messages, and even who came by to my house to see my condition! You guys are the best!
What is dengue?
Dengue is caused by any one of four related viruses transmitted by mosquitoes. There are not yet any vaccines to prevent infection with dengue virus (DENV) and the most effective protective measures are those that avoid mosquito bites. When infected, early recognition and prompt supportive treatment can substantially lower the risk of developing severe disease. [SOURCE]
Aedes aegypti
Symptoms?
The principal symptoms of dengue are:
High fever and at least two of the following:
- Severe headache
- Severe eye pain (behind eyes)
- Joint pain
- Muscle and/or bone pain
- Rash
- Mild bleeding manifestation (e.g., nose or gum bleed, petechiae, or easy bruising)
- Low white cell count [SOURCE]
Some of the reasons for low platelet counts in dengue fever:
- Dengue virus, the main cause of dengue fever induces bone marrow suppression. Since bone marrow is the manufacturing centre of blood cells its suppression causes deficiency of blood cells leading to low platelet count. Anaemia and spontaneous severe bleeding are the other resultant factors of bone marrow suppression.
- Results of a study done by Wang et al. shows that dengue virus can even bind to platelets of human blood in the presence of virus-specific antibody.
- When vascular endothelial cell that are infected with dengue virus gets combined with platelets they tend to destroy platelets. This is one of the major causes of low platelet count in dengue fever.
- Even the antiplatelet antibodies that are produced after infection of dengue virus can contribute in destruction of platelets, thus lowering the platelet count.
There is no specific treatment for dengue fever.
For severe dengue, medical care by physicians and nurses experienced with the effects and progression of the disease can save lives – decreasing mortality rates from more than 20% to less than 1%. Maintenance of the patient's body fluid volume is critical to severe dengue care. [SOURCE]
Prevention?
There is no vaccine available against dengue, and there are no specific medications to treat a dengue infection. This makes prevention the most important step, and prevention means avoiding mosquito bites if you live in or travel to an endemic area.
The best way to reduce mosquitoes is to eliminate the places where the mosquito lays her eggs, like artificial containers that hold water in and around the home. Outdoors, clean water containers like pet and animal watering containers, flower planter dishes or cover water storage barrels. Look for standing water indoors such as in vases with fresh flowers and clean at least once a week. [READ MORE]
DOWNLOAD Dengue Prevention Guidelines
How to Increase Platelet Count?
Here are some ways that will help prevent platelet count from dropping:
- Take a lot of vitamin C supplements. You can obtain vitamin C from fruits and vegetables. Because vitamin C is water soluble, it can be easily absorbed by the body and will immediately help in restoring the body’s platelet count.
- Herbal medications are also helpful in restoring platelet count. Pound the herb with pestle and mortar to extract the juice. Although the juice is very bitter and requires a lot of effort downing them, it is worth it. Most people even add sugar to the juice to make it more palatable and easy to drink.
- However, the most common home remedy is to drink the bitter extract from a papaya leaf. Two leaves without the stalk can yield approximately two tablespoons of the extract. [Source]
Having dengue is one of the most excruciating things in my life yet it's wonderful to have that experience. However, it is in some conditions may be fatal. Don't take the risk -- taking some preventions may avoid this. With that, I rest my story. Thanks for reading :)
