Now that the rainy season has set in, we are looking forward to an increase of dengue cases especially during and after the period.
Let me classify dengue into two major forms: the dengue fever (DF) and dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF).
DF is the milder form of the disease. It has an incubation period of five to seven days, and comes with low or high grade temperature, not-deeply-seated skin rashes, and cold that responds to antipyretics; it ends in about seven days without any complications.
DHF, however, is the most serious form, with overall bleeding tendencies in the nose (epistaxis), from the GI tract, from the gums and, sometimes, profuse menstruation (menorrhagia). Usually, patients begin to bleed when their platelet count goes below 100,000.
Transfusion of the platelet concentrate is done when needed. Cortico-steroids do not work when the patient goes into shock.
Now the dengue vaccine we have in the market has a protection rate of about 63 percent from DF and 90 percent from DHF. Still, DHF has a mortality rate of 10 percent.
Also, we have a rapid dengue testing kit, but it cannot differentiate whether it is DF or DHF. Those with DF must be treated at home, and all cases of DHF in a hospital.
—ELISEO R. REBLANDO, MD, FPAFP, DFM, director, Sta. Veronica General Clinic, Olongapo City