The monsoon might bring some well-deserved relief from the excruciating heat of the summer months, but it also brings along the deadly wave of mosquito-borne diseases like dengue and malaria every year. Dengue is trending in the news and among hospital patients right now, as the deadly infection is gripping more and more of the Indian population.
Dengue has also been showing some concerning symptoms, one of which is severe dengue haemorrhage shock syndrome which recently claimed the life of a 28-year-old ophthalmologist in Kolkata. According to research by Marissa M Alejandria, Section of Infectious Diseases, University of the Philippines, severe dengue haemorrhagic fever is characterised by severe plasma leakage, bleeding, impaired senses, and inflamed heart muscles.
What is Dengue Hemorrhage Shock Syndrome (DHSS)?
As we all know, dengue fever is characterised by a sudden onset of high fever along with a rash, severe body ache, and a rapid decrease in platelet count. However, dengue also shows some common symptoms that are lesser known, such as abdominal pain or tenderness, persistent vomiting, clinical fluid accumulation, mucosal bleeding, lethargy, restlessness, liver enlargement, and decreasing red blood cell count.
However, when dengue fever turns severe, it can also cause dengue shock syndrome which is deadly as it has a mortality rate of 20%. The severe symptoms of DHSS can put the body in a state of shock and extreme respiratory distress and is a major cause of hospitalisation and mortality in children.
Also Read: Amid Rising Dengue Cases, Why You Shouldn't Ignore A Mild But Persistent Fever
This critical form of dengue starts showing warning signs after the first or second day of dengue fever, through manifestations of symptoms like unmissable stomach pain, persistent vomiting, blood from gums or nose, blood in urine, stools or vomit, bleeding under the skin, difficulty or rapid breathing, fatigue, and irritability or restlessness.
During this severe infection from dengue virus, the body is forced to exhibit an immune response. However, due to the severity of low platelets as a consequence of dengue, the body’s ability for coagulation is hampered, which eventually causes shock and organ failure.
Preventing Dengue Hemorrhage Shock Syndrome
If you were recently exposed to the dengue virus, you need to be even more vigilant in situations where you could be prone to a mosquito bite. DHSS primarily affects people who were previously infected by different serotypes of the dengue virus. Hence, the biggest risk factor for DHSS is residing or travelling to areas where dengue is prevalent. Young children and people with compromised immune systems also are particularly susceptible to DHSS.
Also Read: Higher Temperatures Can Make Dengue Virus More Deadly; Study
However, as past waves of dengue have witnessed, the major burden of preventing dengue outbreaks lies more on healthcare authorities than on the common masses. The regular population should ensure no leaving stagnant water in their homes or areas around them, wear mosquito repellant sprays or creams, and get a timely diagnosis right when they notice dengue symptoms.
To ensure maximum safety from the dengue outbreak, hospitals need to be equipped to provide good hydration (oral or intravenous), monitor platelet and blood count, and swift action in case of failing organs and profuse bleeding. as well as organ support accordingly. Additionally, government health authorities need to employ robust mosquito control measures – from fogging to combat dengue-spreading mosquitoes and eliminating breeding sites.
