Persisting fever could be dengue

Nadira Gunatilleke

Persons with fever for over two days should seek immediate medical treatment as they could be suffering from dengue, a Health Ministry spokesman said. The spokesman said Health Services Director General Dr Palitha Mahipala requested the public to seek immediate medical treatment if any type of fever persists for over two days.

“Seeking medical treatment promptly is essential to prevent complications,” the spokesman said.

He said persons suffering from any type of fever should seek immediate medical treatment from a state hospital.

“It is also recommended to seek immediate medical treatment if the fever remains for a second day since it could be dengue. The fever can return with dengue shock syndrome. Treatment should be sought from a state hospital or a qualified and experienced doctor. All health staff, especially doctors at main state hospitals have been provided special training in treating dengue patients,” the spokesman said.

He said the Law Faculty student who died, was admitted to the Colombo National Hospital only after she got the dengue shock syndrome and became unconscious and collapsed.

She had been suffering from dengue fever for several days before being admitted to hospital. Internal bleeding had occurred as a result of a fall caused by dengue shock syndrome, the spokesman said.

Many patients do not have dengue fever symptoms such as high fever, headache, pain under the eyes, pain in mussels and joints, vomiting, loss of apatite, pain in the stomach, red patches under skin (during Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever) and bleeding from the nose or gums.

The symptoms of dengue shock syndrome are pale body, cold hands and legs, palpitation and low pressure. The patients die when the liver or heart fails, due to bleeding and convulsion. Those with fever should avoid aspirin, take paracetamol, plenty of rest, even after the fever subsides and avoid red and brown food and drinks, he added.