What Is Dengue Fever?
Dengue fever is the result of a viral infection that is transmitted by mosquitoes. It is also referred to as dandy fever and breakbone fever. Its causes are discussed below.
What Causes Dengue Fever?
Dengue fever is mainly caused by viral infections transmitted by mosquitoes belonging to the Aedes family. The most common culprit is the Aedes aegypti mosquito. When a mosquito bites an infected individual, the dengue virus enters that mosquito. This mosquito then transfers the virus to the next person it bites, and the cycle continues. There are four types of dengue viruses (DENV) that cause dengue. If you are infected by one of these viruses, your body becomes immune to that particular mosquito. But in such scenarios, your chance of becoming infected by the other three types of dengue viruses and developing dengue hemorrhagic fever increases. Dengue fever can give rise to various symptoms. Some of the most common ones are listed below.
What Are The Symptoms Of Dengue Fever?
The symptoms that surface with the onset of dengue fever are:
High body temperature (Fever) Headaches Vomiting and nausea Pain behind the eyes Rash Swollen glands
Dengue can also have more severe symptoms like:
Severe stomach pain Bleeding gums or nose Blood in stool or urine Difficulty in breathing Skin bruising as a result of bleeding under the skin Cold and clammy skin Fatigue and irritation
It is important to treat these initial symptoms at the earliest to avoid complications. Here’s a list of remedies that can help in curing dengue naturally.
How To Cure Dengue Fever Naturally
Home Remedies To Treat Dengue Fever
1. Papaya Leaf Juice
A handful of papaya leaves Consume two tablespoons of papaya leaf extract thrice daily. The extract from papaya leaves is a proven way to cure dengue fever (1). Papaya leaves are a rich source of vitamin C and antioxidants that help boost your immunity. Dengue fever often leads to a low platelet count, and papaya leaves can help by improving your blood platelet count (2).
2. Goat Milk
1 cup of goat milk Drink a cup of preboiled goat milk. You must drink goat’s milk 1 to 2 times daily. Dengue fever is often accompanied by selenium deficiency and decreased blood platelet count. Goat’s milk is an easy and effective remedy to cure dengue as it is rich in selenium and is known to increase the blood platelet count (3).
3. Giloy Juice
500-1000 mg of giloy extract 1 cup of water
Do this 1 to 2 times daily. Giloy is a plant commonly found in the tropical regions of India. It has natural antioxidant properties that can boost your immunity and protect your body from free radical damage. Giloy is also an antipyretic and is hence effective in reducing chronic fever (4). This plant is also believed to increase blood platelet count, and is thus one of the best natural options for treating dengue fever.
4. Guava Juice
1-2 cups of fresh guava juice Consume guava juice twice daily for maximum benefits. Guavas are a rich source of tannins, vitamins, and minerals. The high vitamin C content of the fruits can help boost your immunity naturally. They are also known for their ability to increase the blood platelet count and are hence a great way to treat dengue fever (5).
5. Jaggery And Onion
A small block of jaggery 2-3 small onions
Consume this mixture twice a day. Onions are known to exhibit antipyretic (fever-reducing) properties (6). And, in combination with jaggery, they increase the platelet count in your blood, thus helping cure dengue fever.
6. Apple Juice
1 cup of fresh apple juice 1 teaspoon of lemon juice
Drink this 2 to 3 times daily. This remedy can help increase the number of blood cells, which, in turn, improves your blood platelet count (7). Also, apples are natural antioxidants and can help protect your blood cells from free radical damage (8).
7. Neem Leaves
A few neem leaves 1 cup of water 1 teaspoon of honey
You can drink this neem solution 2 to 3 times daily. Neem leaves are well known for their amazing healing potential. One of the many uses is their role in the treatment of dengue fever. Neem leaves are quite helpful in increasing the number of blood platelets and white blood cells, both of which see a drastic decrease in those affected by dengue (9), (10).
8. Goldenseal
1 teaspoon of goldenseal root 1 cup of hot water Honey
Have goldenseal tea twice daily. Goldenseal has many surprising benefits, one of which is its use in the treatment of dengue. It has been used for ages to cure the symptoms of fever and other infections due to its antiviral properties (11). Goldenseal is also beneficial in improving the blood platelet count. It is believed that the indigenous people of North America used goldenseal root powder as an insect repellant.
9. Kiwi Juice
1 cup of fresh kiwi juice Consume a cup of kiwi juice. Do this twice daily. Kiwis are packed with various nutrients and minerals that can help you overcome fatigue and weakness – two symptoms of dengue fever (12). They also contain vitamin C that helps in boosting your overall immunity (13). These fruits are also helpful in increasing the blood platelet count.
10. Vitamin K
Dengue hemorrhagic fever is often accompanied by bleeding, and vitamin K is known to stop excessive bleeding. Following a diet containing vitamin K-rich foods like green leafy vegetables, fish, meat, eggs, and cereals can help in curing dengue fever (14).
11. Fenugreek Seeds
1-2 teaspoons of fenugreek seeds 1 cup of hot water Honey
You can drink this concoction 2 to 3 times daily. Fenugreek seeds are a rich source of vitamins C and K, fiber, and various minerals, which makes them a great option for treating dengue fever. While the vitamins improve your immunity and prevent bleeding, the antipyretic properties of fenugreek seeds help in bringing down your fever (15).
12. Turmeric
1 teaspoon of turmeric powder 1 glass of hot milk Honey (optional)
Drink this once daily, preferably before going to bed. Turmeric has many medicinal benefits and is used in the treatment of various ailments. Most of these benefits are due to the presence of curcumin in it. The immunomodulatory functions of curcumin help in boosting your immunity, while its antiviral properties help in combating the root cause (viral infections) of dengue (16), (17).
13. Tulsi Leaves And Black Pepper
A handful of tulsi leaves A pinch of black pepper 2 cups of water Honey (optional)
You must drink this 2 to 3 times daily. Tulsi is also known as basil. This plant has some wonderful medicinal properties that are used in the treatment of various infections. Tulsi is a natural antioxidant that can improve your immunity and protect your body from free radical damage. It also has antimicrobial properties that can help eliminate the dengue virus (18).
14. Barley Grass
1 teaspoon of barley grass powder 1-2 cups of hot water Honey (optional)
You must drink this solution at least twice daily. Barley grass is yet another remedy that may be of immense help in treating dengue fever with its ability to increase your blood platelet count. It has antiviral and antioxidant properties that can fight the viral infection causing the dengue fever and boost your overall immunity (19), (20).
15. Crab Soup
A bowl of crab soup (1 to 2 crabs per meal) Consume a bowl of freshly prepared crab soup. You must drink this soup twice daily. Crab soup is a rich source of various nutrients that are beneficial to your health. The intake of crab soup on a regular basis can help increase your blood platelet count, thus resolving one of the most serious complications associated with dengue fever (21). These remedies can help accelerate your recovery from the disease. If you have been fortunate enough to steer clear of dengue fever till now, you might want to take a look at the following tips to avoid contracting the infection.
Preventive Tips
Keep your house well-screened or air-conditioned. Always use a mosquito repellent. Wear protective clothing like long shirts and pants. Keep your house and its surroundings clean. Avoid consuming oily food. Instead, opt for a diet that includes oranges, lemons, coconut water, vegetables, fruits, and protein-rich foods.
How long does the dengue virus stay in the body? The dengue virus usually circulates from 2 to 7 days in the body of an infected individual. And they usually transmit the infection via mosquitoes after the appearance of a few symptoms, after 4 to 5 days of becoming infected. Which mosquito causes dengue fever? Dengue fever is transmitted by mosquitoes belonging to the Aedes species. Within this species, Aedes aegypti is the most common mosquito that transmits dengue fever. What is the difference between dengue, malaria, and chikungunya? While dengue and chikungunya are caused by a viral infection, malaria is caused by a parasite called plasmodium. While chikungunya and dengue are transmitted by the Aedes species of mosquitoes, malaria is transmitted by the female Anopheles mosquito. And although dengue and chikungunya are quite similar, the former lasts longer and is a lot more life-threatening. Why do dengue fever patients have a low count of platelets? Dengue fever leads to a low count of platelets because of the following reasons:
Dengue virus causes bone marrow suppression. This virus also leads to the destruction of platelets by apoptosis. Infection of platelets by dengue virus that causes dysfunction of platelets and a low platelet count.
What are the tests to confirm dengue fever? The most common tests used to confirm dengue fever are an antigen test and an antibody test. You can also opt for molecular tests using PCR to confirm dengue. How can I get rid of dengue during pregnancy? It’s best to consult a doctor to treat dengue during pregnancy. You may take medicine only if the doctors give the go-ahead. However, drink plenty of water and juices to stay hydrated, as it’s crucial to maintain embryonic fluid levels. Does dengue spread in summer? Yes. The mosquito that transmits dengue is highly adaptive to weather conditions. However, the outbreaks during the summer are sporadic and not endemic like during the monsoon season.
