Shock syndrome causes most dengue deaths 3 more die at DMCH

At least three more dengue patients died at Dhaka Medical College Hospital on Wednesday, where so far 20 dengue patients died, DMCH assistant director Nasir Uddin told New Age.

The three included  Asia Begum, 39, Amena Begum, 60, and  apparel worker Awlad Hossain, 32.

This year most of the deaths were caused by  ‘Dengue Shock Syndrome,’ said doctors.

Many of the patients were infected with dengue for the second time, according to the government’s Dengue Death Review Report.

Dengue killed at least 23 citizens since January, according to the government statistics, though unofficial estimates put the death toll at least at 80.

Since January, at least 32,340 dengue patients were hospitalized across the country, according to government data.

In 24 hours ending at 8AM Wednesday at least 2,428 new dengue patients had been  admitted to hospitals across the country.

The Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research director Dr Meerjady Sabrina Flora, who heads the dengue death review committee of the Health Services, told New Age that among the 23 citizens who died due to dengue at least 15 died due to dengue shock syndrome.

Dr Flora described dengue shock syndrome as ‘a severe stage of dengue’.

At least five dengue patients deaths were caused by haemorrhagic fever while three others due to ‘expanded dengue syndrome’ that causes organ damage, said Dr Flora.

She said that at least nine of the dengue patients died since January after getting infected with dengue virus for the 2nd time.

Out of 23 death caused by dengue since January, 13 were women and eight -- children.

IEDCR confirmed  23 deaths due to dengue after reviewing 40 suspected dengue deaths.

Dr Flora said suspected dengue deaths were under further review to confirm the actual cause of their deaths.

IEDCR conducted sophisticated molecular testing using polymerase chain reaction or PCR, which is not available in Bangladesh except at the IEDCR to confirm that the deaths were caused by dengue.

Doctors said severe dengue symptoms usually become visible to doctors in three to seven days after the first symptoms appear together with temperature falling below 100°F and severe abdominal pains, persistent vomiting, rapid breathing, bleeding gums, fatigue, restlessness and blood in vomit.

Once severe dengue occurs, the next 24 to 48 hours can be lethal needing proper medical care to prevent further complications and the risk of death.

‘Patients should not delay in consulting  doctors if they notice any of the severe  dengue symptoms,’ said Dhaka Medical College principal Khan Abul Kalam Azad, who is also a noted medicine specialist.

According to the World Health Organization, dengue infection occurs in two forms: Dengue fever and Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever and unless proper treatment is given promptly, the patient may go into shock and die.

Usually dengue fever causes high fever 104°F and at least two of these symptoms -- severe headache, pain behind the eyes, nausea, vomiting, swollen glands, muscle and joint pains and rash -- are found in dengue patients.

Symptoms similar to dengue fever plus, any one of the symptoms -- severe and continuous pain in abdomen, bleeding from the nose, mouth and gums or skin bruising, frequent vomiting with or without blood, black stools like coal tar, excessive thirst (dry mouth), pale, cold skin, restlessness, or sleepiness –confirms that the patients developed hemorrhagic fever.

And for the case of shock syndrome, the symptoms of dengue hemorrhagic fever coupled with the symptoms like weak rapid pulse, narrow pulse pressure, rapid blood pressure fall, cold, clammy skin and restlessness are present in the patients, WHO says.

Persons suspected of having dengue fever or dengue haemorrhagic fever must see a doctor at once. Dengue haemorrhagic fever is a deadly disease and early recognition and treatment can save lives.

Unless proper treatment is given promptly, the patient may go into shock and die, WHO says.

DMC principal Azad said when the patients  get infected with dengue for the 2nd or the 3rd  time, they suffer from the shock syndrome or severe dengue.

The risks are more for the patients of severe dengue who have already kidney, heart, brain, liver and respiratory diseases, he added.

He said for severe dengue, medical care by experienced physicians and nurses with the effects and progression of the disease can save lives. Maintenance of the patient’s body fluid volume and prevention of plasma leakage are critical to severe dengue care.

Azad advised suspected dengue patients not to get panicked, but to consult doctors, especially at the government’s medical college hospitals and other government hospitals.

The government’s health emergency and operation centre control room report said on Wednesday that at least 8,707 dengue patients were under treatment at different hospitals including 5,389 in the capital and 3,318 in different districts.

News Courtesy: www.newagebd.net