ith rising number of dengue cases in the city, not just the general public, even doctors are being “trained” on how to identify and start quick treatment for the disease.
The National Medical Forum and Sanjeevan Medical Research Centre on Saturday organised a teaching seminar on “Preparedness and Management of Dengue”.
Prof. Suresh Patel of Maulana Azad Medical College pointed out the dangers of Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever (DHF) as well as Dengue Shock Syndrome (DSS), where shock occurs after two to six days along with sudden collapse, cool and clammy extremities, weak pulse and blueness around the mouth. There is bleeding along with easy bruising, blood spots in the skin, spitting up of blood (hematemesis), blood in the stool (melena), bleeding gums and nosebleeds (epistaxis). Pneumonia and heart inflammation may be present. DSS is the leading cause of dengue deaths in the country.
According to National Medical Forum president Prem Aggarwal, “The shock syndrome is common in children less than 12 years, more common in females, and those who have had dengue earlier. It can be easily detected by putting a blood pressure cuff on the arm and inflating it for two to five minutes. The patient with haemorrhagic signs will show bleeding spots.”
The event also saw release of informative posters. Doctors were told that the key to control both dengue fever and the dangerous complications of DHF and DSS was controlling the breeding of the Aedes aegypti.
“The vaccine for dengue fever is in the late stage of development, but has yet to be found useful in reducing transmission and controlling the epidemic,” it was noted.
In another development, AAP MLA from Shalimar Bagh and Delhi Assembly Deputy Speaker Bandana Kumari was admitted to a private hospital on Friday with symptoms of dengue. Her family maintained that she was responding well to the treatment.
