Mumbai: Nearly 2,400 dengue-like cases and over 200 confirmed dengue cases have been recorded by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) this month so far. Doctors in the private sector too have noticed a rise, as the drop in rainfall and the humid weather make it favourable for the breeding of aedes aegypti, the dengue-spreading mosquito.
Dr. Pratit Samdani, who practises in several south Mumbai hospitals, said the dengue virus plays a major role in haemoglobin rise leaving patients at the risk of developing a haemorrhage. “The drop in platelet count is something that one cannot control in dengue. But the rise in haemoglobin level can be controlled by high intake of fluids. Patients require anywhere between two litres and 15 litres of fluid a day through intravenous drips and orally.”
Dr. Samdani also said the amount of fluid is advised depending on the patient’s condition and underlying diseases. “For example, if someone has a renal ailment, excess fluid intake becomes a problem.”
Dengue is spread by an infected female aedes aegypti mosquito that mostly bites during the day and breeds in clean water. The BMC’s insecticide department has also undertaken a survey on the mosquito.
Over the past two weeks, Dr. Samdani has seen nearly 30 dengue patients of which 60% required admission. “All patients don’t need admission. Often relatives and patients panic and push for admission but the disease can be managed at home with adequate rest, fluid intake, and daily examination to keep a track of platelets and haemoglobin. If there are any signs of internal or external bleeding, the patient should be immediately admitted,” he said, adding self-medication should be avoided.
According to Dr. Hemant Gupta, there is a variation in the dengue this season with the disease progressing to severity suddenly. “Most commonly in dengue, the platelet drop is seen in the first few days. However, I have seen cases where patients have tested positive for dengue but have normal platelet count which drops drastically on the fourth or fifth day.”
Dr. Gupta also said the sudden progression is worrisome. While the normal platelet count ranges from 1.5 lakh to 4.5 lakh, Dr. Gupta has seen patients with platelet count plummeting to 10,000.
