Dengue and your child

WITH AN estimated 100 million cases of its occurrence every year worldwide, dengue is a very common and threatening condition which can harm even the youngest among us. During this outbreak, it is imperative to understand the disease and how to protect your child/ children, especially those who are not old enough to vocalise their discomfort. Though the most common symptoms in children are a fever and rash, below is a list of all possible symptoms which cannot be ignored:

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS OF DENGUE FEVER IN KIDS

Dengue generally starts like a viral fever in younger children: a runny nose, cough, and a mild rash on the skin. It has also been referred to as ‘breakbone fever’ because of the symptoms it causes. Generically, the following symptoms, if observed in your child, could mean that your child has got dengue:

■ The child has high fever – up to 105.8°C.

■ He complains of joint aches.

■ Frequent headaches and chills.

■ Pain behind eyes.

■ Mild body rash or a red and white patchy rash.

■ Flu-like condition – cough and cold.

Severe symptoms of dengue in kids may include:

■ Abdominal pain.

■ Bleeding from nose and gums.

■ Low blood pressure.

■ Vomiting or nausea.

■ Dehydration and loss of appetite.

■ Difficulty breathing.

■ Itchiness on the soles of the feet.

Dengue renders a person very pale and weak, and this weakness may continue for some time after the illness as well.

It’s essential to watch for these signs, which may otherwise take the form of more complicated and life-threatening conditions such as dengue shock syndrome and dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF). DHF can cause multiple serious conditions and may even lead to death in some cases. DHF needs to be medically treated right away.

DIAGNOSIS OF DENGUE FEVER IN CHILDREN

Dengue is largely a tropical area disease, and most doctors prescribe a blood test to check for the dengue viruses. However, most professionals will identify dengue just from the appearance of a child.

■ The doctor will ask you several questions related to the symptoms and exposure to mosquitoes of your child; your travel history, etc.

■ Your child may be advised to undergo a blood test to detect presence of dengue virus.

■ A complete blood count may also be suggested to identify the severity of virus attack (the blood platelets may be affected).

TREATMENT OF DENGUE IN KIDS

Generally, dengue resolves on its own and there are no specific medicines to quickly treat dengue. If severe forms of dengue has been diagnosed, then hospitalisation may be required. Blood pressure and blood counts are monitored and blood tests will be performed at intervals. Preventing dehydration and letting the patient rest are two most important prerequisites for treating dengue fever in children. However, following tips can be followed on managing dengue:

■ No work, no play – only rest and loads of rest.

■ Nutritious food – preferably thoroughly cooked and light.

■ Although Paracetamol may be prescribed for taming fever, the age-old trick of putting wet cloth on the forehead still works wonders!

■ Ibuprofen and aspirin should be avoided.

■ Drink plenty of warm fluids.

■ You may administer electrolyte/ORS powder to the child to prevent dehydration.

Dengue may leave your child weak and tired even for more than a month, though dengue itself lasts for about 10 days. If you notice your child’s symptoms worsening after the fever has been gone for a day or two, it could be an indication of DHF, which is deemed as a huge medical emergency. Source: beingtheparent.com