About the epidemic

The epidemic of dengue has again resurfaced in Delhi after a gap of six to seven years. Several patients are reporting in different clinics and hospitals of Delhi. Govt. as well as civic authorities are facing lot of problems in tackling this scourge of dengue virus.

Dengue fever is the most common of all arthropod born diseases. It occurs in most of the tropical countries. Over half of WHO member states representing a total of 2000 million are threatened by Dengue. Dengue viruses are arbo-viruses. The Dengue infection may be: a) Asymptomatic or b) Symptomatic, which may lead to:1) Classical Dengue fever II) Dengue Haemorrhagic fever with shock or III) Dengue Haemorrhagic fever without shock.

Dengue carrier
Aedes mosquitoes are the carrier of Dengue viruses. These mosquitoes can be easily distinguished as it is larger in size and have black and white stripes on its body, so it is sometimes called tiger mosquitoes. They usually bite during the day time. They bread in artificial accumulation of fresh water, such as broken bottles and tins, flower pots, coconut shell, tree holes etc.

Dengue fever

It is also known as “Breakbone” fever. It first epidemically attacked the people of Scotland. The symptoms of Classical dengue fever as the onset is sudden with chills and high fever raised from 102 to 105 degree and continued about 3-5 days, intense headache(retro-orbital), severe muscle and backbone pain, vomiting, tastelessness, weakness, dry tongue, constipation, reddish eye, and oedoma on face. The fever lasts for 5-7 days after which the recovery is usually complete. The chance of fatality is very low.

Dengue Haemorrhagic fever

It is the severe form of Dengue fever caused by infection of double Dengue virus. The first infection sensitizes the patient and the second appears to produce immunological catastrophe. The clinical manifestations are: a) Fever-acute onset-continues-lasting for 2-7 days; b) Liver enlargement and tenderness. Pain feels at pressure on liver. c) Nausea and vomiting, abdomen pain, d) Severe pain on whole body especially in backbone and joints. e) Haemorrage- Bleeding under skin.-Bleeding from nose.-Gum bleeding.-Blood in vomiting.-Blood in stool

Pathological diagnosis
Blood test of Leukocyte, platelets count, haemocrit with serological test are important to diagnose dengue fever. But in epidemic situation every patient having high fever is required to the suspect for dengue fever unless other cause for the fever is identified.

Homoeopathic management

Homoeopathic system of medicine can treat and prevent dengue fever (DF) and dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF)by immuno-modulation of the patients without any side and adverse effects. Homeopathy has been used successfully in the others countries apart from India in the past. The selection of homoeopathic drugs in these cases depends upon the individual response to infection and virulence of the virus. The symptomatology of the patients those who are having dengue fever and dengue hemorrhagic are studied to decide about the curative and preventive homoeopathic medicines for any patient as well as epidemic as a whole.

There are about 25 homoeopathic drugs available for the treatment of dengue fever. These are Aconite., Arnica, Arsenic-alb., Arum-tri., Baptisia., Belladonna., Bryonia., Cantharis., China officinalis Colocynthis., Eupatorium perfoliatum., Ferrum metallicum., Gelsemium., Hamamelis., Ipecac., Lachesis, Merc-sol, Nux vomica., Podophyllum., Rhus toxicodendron., Rhus-venenata., Sanicula., Secale cornutum and Sul-acidum. These drugs had been successfully used by various homeopaths across the globe for its treatment and management. In 1996 during the epidemic of dengue in Delhi Eupatorium perfoliatum was found most effective.

The present epidemic of dengue fever in Delhi is of two types. One is simple Dengue fever (DF) having no mortality, self limiting course and the patient usually recovers within five to seven days. The most useful medicines for this type of dengue fever are Arsenic album, Bryonia, Eupatorium perfoliatum, Gelsemium, and Rhus toxicodendron. These medicines are required to be used in 30 or 200 potency as per the indications and under the supervision of qualified homeopathic doctors.

The second type of dengue is of Dengue Haemorrhagic fever (DHF), which is a severe type of infection and can be fatal. It usually develops in patients those who are already sensitized with dengue virus. The high grade fever is usually associated with severe nausea vomiting, abdominal pain and bleeding from nose, gums, blood in vomiting and stools. This type of Dengue fever (DHF) can be treated with Crotalus horridus, Ferrum metallcum, Hamamelis, Ipecac, Lachesis and Secale-cor along-with the intensive general management of the patient in form of monitoring of their leucocytes and platelet counts. These medicines can be safely used in every patient along with the general treatment being given by the allopathic doctors. After studying some of the dengue haemorrhagic patients it appears that Ipecac in 30 and 200 potency can be most indicated in the present epidemic.

Prevention of Dengue Fever (DF)/Dengue Haemorrhagic fever (DHF)

To prevent the infection of dengue virus, social awareness and control of mosquitoes is the foremost. The environment should be clean, water tanks and containers should be covered and mosquito nets should be used. If there is any fever, immediately consult qualified homoeopathic doctors or allopathic doctors, if required get hospitalized either in a clinic or hospital for proper observation and treatment.

Prevention of Dengue Fever with Homeopathy

Simple Dengue Fever (DF)

The trends of current symptomatology of the epidemic reveals that Eupatorium perfoliatum 200 can be taken twice daily for three days and subsequently at least two doses a week at the interval of three - four day till the epidemic persist for the prevention of dengue fever.

Dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF)

Ipecac in 200 potency can be given twice a day for three days and two doses a week in all the patients those who have already suffered with the dengue fever and are prone for dengue haemorrhagic fever. This drug can also be used alternately with Eupatorium perfoliatum 200 to prevent both the types of dengue fever in so far not infected individuals.

These medicines are safe and can be given to any age group and even to the pregnant women without any side effects, but it is always better if these are used in consultation with the nearest qualified homoeopathic doctor. These medicines can be procured from about 185 chemist shops selling homeopathic drugs in different parts of Delhi.

The public is also informed that Govt. of Delhi is having 73 homeopathic dispensaries and two homeopathic medical colleges and hospitals. All the homeopathic drugs are available free of cost in these institutions/dispensaries. The address and timings of the nearest dispensary to once residence can be obtained from our helpline telephone numbers 24332015 (10AM to 6 PM) and from our website www.delhihomeo.com.

    
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