Homeopathic Medicine to Prevent Dengue Fever

What Is Dengue Fever?

Dengue fever is a tropical infection. Almost half of the world's population, about 4 billion people, live in areas with a risk of dengue. It is a deadly febrile infection, which causes hemorrhagic shock, so it is crucial to prevent this infection. It is one of the epidemics in India. Dengue is a vector-borne disease transmitted by the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito. There are four serotypes of this virus that cause dengue, which are DEN-1, DEN-2, DEN-3, and DEN-4. Severe dengue symptoms are the leading cause of serious illness and death in some Asian and Latin American countries. Dengue is also seen in tropical and sub-tropical areas worldwide.

The first known cases of dengue fever occurred in Batavia in 1779, and Benjamin Rush, a prominent American Revolutionary War physician and signer of the declaration of independence, gave the first detailed description of the disease when it caused an epidemic in Philadelphia in 1780.

In homeopathy, Eupatorium Perfoliatum is the medicine used for dengue fever, which the council advises.

What Are the Symptoms of Dengue Fever?

Dengue fever remains asymptomatic or shows very few symptoms. It shows symptoms similar to flu-like illness. The following are the signs and symptoms associated with dengue fever -

• High fever.

• Severe joint pain.

• Muscle pain.

• Headache.

• Pain behind the eye that is aggravated by eye motion.

• Vomiting.

• Nausea.

• Skin rash.

• Petechial hemorrhages (small red spots due to bleeding from tiny blood vessels).

• Bleeding tendency.

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Because of the petechial hemorrhages and bleeding tendency, dengue is also called hemorrhagic fever. Hemorrhage may be present under the skin, from the nose, and gums. There will be vomiting of blood, and presence of blood in the stool. This bleeding or hemorrhage is because of decreased platelet count.

In severe cases, loss of blood leads to shock with lowered blood pressure, weak or rapid pulse, restlessness, and cold, clammy skin. This condition is called dengue shock syndrome.

How Is the Dengue Virus Transmitted?

Female Aedes mosquitoes are the main carriers of the dengue virus. This mosquito breeds in artificial accumulation of water during and immediately after the rainy season. The virus enters the mosquito when it bites a person infected with the virus. When such a mosquito bites another person, it releases the virus into the person's bloodstream. There is no other known way of transmission between humans.

It can also spread through maternal transmission (through a pregnant mother to her baby).

What Are the Phases of Dengue Fever?

Dengue fever takes three to four days to develop, and after the incubation period, it is divided into three phases -

The phases of dengue fever are -

• Febrile phase.

• Critical phase.

• Recovery phase.

The period between the entry of the virus and the appearance of the first symptom is about 4 to 7 days or 3 to 14 days.

The symptoms seen as the disease progress are -

A. Acute or febrile stage: (two to seven days)

• Retro-orbital pain (pain behind the orbit of the eye).

• Severe headache.

• Myalgia (muscle pain).

• Arthralgia (joint pain).

• Skin rash.

• Mild hemorrhagic spots over the chest and upper limbs.

B. Critical phase:

• Thrombocytopenia (low platelet count) - Replacement treatment might be needed.

• Signs of plasma leakage into the pleura and ascites (accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity).

• Hypoproteinemia.

The next stage of fever, if left untreated, can lead to -

• Circulatory failure.

• Rapid and weak pulse.

• Hypotension.

• Cold and clammy skin.

• Restlessness.

C. Recovery phase:

• Improves vitals.

• Gastrointestinal symptoms subside.

• Recovered appetite.

What Are the Treatment Modalities for Dengue fever?

Dengue is a self-limiting illness, and there is no specific antiviral treatment. But, supportive treatment with fluid replacement, bed rest, and painkillers that are generally given to reduce fever and complications.

Prevention:

The best way to prevent this disease is by preventing bites from infected mosquitoes. Some preventive tips are:

• Wear clothes that cover your hands and legs.

• Use mosquito repellants like creams, liquids, coils, mats, and others.

• Avoid using highly scented soaps and perfumes, as it attracts mosquitoes.

• Remove any stagnant water in your locality.

• Wear full sleeve shirts and full pants with socks.

• Prevent collection of water on rooftops, porticos, and sunshades.

• Cover the stored water properly.

• Biological and Chemical control for the control of mosquito breeding.

• Waste must be disposed off properly and should not be allowed to collect.

• Use bed nets while sleeping.

• Dengue vaccination.

• Health education and awareness should be provided.

Homeopathy Treatment:

• Homeopathy treatment depends upon person to person as a whole. It means that homeopathic treatment for dengue fever focuses on the patient as a person's condition and their pathological values. The homeopathic medicines for dengue fever are sorted out after a full examination and case analysis, including the patient's medical history, physical and mental condition, and others.

• Eupatorium perfoliatum is the best homeopathic preventive medicine. It is widely used as prophylaxis for dengue. It can be administrated twice daily during an outbreak.

• It can also be used as a treatment for dengue to relieve severe muscle pain, joint pain, eye pain, and high fever. It is found to be very effective. This medicine is also called "bone set," as it provides quick relief from severe bone and joint pain.

• Homeopathy medicines that are most commonly indicated in cases of dengue fever are Aconitum napellus, Arnicamontana, Arsenic album, Belladonna, Bryonia alba, Eupatorium perfoliatum, Ferrumphosphoricum, Gelsemium, Ipecacuanha, Natrummuriaticum, Nux vomica, Pulsatilla and Rhus toxicodendron which are prescribed on the basis of symptom similarity.

Conclusion:

Dengue fever is a viral mosquito-borne disease with mild to severe symptoms. Though there is no proper treatment, homeopathy provides a holistic way to treat dengue, which involves the overall health of a person and focuses on the symptomatic management of the disease. Dengue fever can be prevented by controlling mosquito development and vaccination. Homeopathic remedies help to evaluate and improve the complete health of an affected individual, and it is one of the safest treatment modality.

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