How to recognize the differences between dengue fever and influenza. Because although some symptoms are similar, they are actually completely different diseases.
Dengue fever
Dengue fever It is a dengue virus disease that is carried by Aedes mosquitoes. Which is found mostly in tropical and temperate countries. Bureau of Insect-borne Diseases The Ministry of Public Health of Thailand informs that in 2014, approximately 40,000 patients with dengue fever were found, of which 41 died, which is considered quite a few. There are 4 types
of Dengue virus : DEN-1, DEN-2, DEN-3, and DEN-4. All 4 types have some common antigens, causing cross reaction and cross protection in a short period of time. briefly When infected with one type of dengue virus, there will be immunity to that สมัคร ufabet type of dengue virus forever (long lasting homotypic immunity) and cross protection against other types (heterotypic immunity) for a short period of approximately 3 years. -12 months sounds good. But as the days pass, this immunity will gradually fade. It fades because our body will produce real immunity to fight off foreign substances.
If a person who has this fake immunity (a person who has had dengue fever) is exposed to another dengue virus, it will not be able to provide any protection. It has also mutated and easily rises up and draws war into the house. Plus it helps to grow faster than normal. This is the reason why people who have already had dengue fever It can come back and it’s worse than before.
Dengue fever symptoms
Overall symptoms include high fever, eye pain, fatigue, not wanting to eat, abdominal pain, a red face, or a rash on the body and pain in various joints. In some cases, the pain is so severe it can even lead to death. In some places it is called “break bone fever”. This depends on the strain of dengue virus that is infected. Let
‘s look clearly at how the symptoms develop. Dengue fever There are four important symptoms that are quite specific, arranged in order of occurrence as follows:
High fever lasts 2-7 days, with the patient having a sudden high fever. Most of the time, the fever will be higher than 38.5 degrees Celsius. In some cases, seizures may occur, especially in children who have had a history of seizures before. The patient often has a red face. Most patients do not have a runny nose or cough, loss of appetite, and vomiting.
Have symptoms of bleeding Most are found on the skin. You may find a rash on the skin. or have symptoms of bleeding on the skin Including small bleeding spots scattered on the arms, legs, torso, armpits, there may be nosebleeds or bleeding from the gums. In severe cases, there may be vomiting and blood in the stool. which is usually black
There is an enlarged, tender liver. Most of the time, the enlarged liver can be felt on the 3-4th day from the beginning of the illness. In the period when there is still a fever The liver is tender and tender.
Circulatory failure/shock occurs in about 1 in 3 people with dengue fever. will have severe symptoms Circulatory failure has occurred. Most of which will happen at the same time. with the fever dropping rapidly This shock will change quickly. If not treated, the patient’s condition will worsen. and will die within 12-24 hours after the onset of shock
Do’s and Don’ts for Dengue Fever
- When having a high fever, do not take medicine that contains aspirin and ibuprofen or medicine that contains steroids. Because it will cause the platelets to lose their function. It will irritate the stomach, causing it to bleed more easily.
- If your fever doesn’t go down during the first 2-3 days of being sick, Hurry and consult a doctor immediately. Describe symptoms completely. and explain the environment at home as well Including consulting with the doctor about whether or not platelets should be checked or not. Normally, people have hundreds of thousands of platelets, that is, more than 300,000. If the platelet count is below 200,000 after having a fever for 3-4 days, symptoms will start to become worrisome. And if it’s less than 100,000, it’s better to be admitted to the hospital. During the first 1-3 days it may not be possible to check. You can test it when the virus starts to show up.
influenza
Influenza It is an infectious disease caused by the influenza virus (Influenza virus). It can be divided into 3 types according to the season: type A, B, and C. The most common is influenza type A (H1N1) (H3N2), followed by Including types B and C.
This virus is present in the patient’s mucus, saliva, or phlegm. which can be easily spread to other people, such as by coughing or sneezing or breathe in the mist If within 1 meter of a sick person, some people get infected indirectly through their hands or contaminated items such as drinking glasses, door knobs, telephones, hand towels, etc. The germs enter the body through the nose, eyes, and mouth.
In adults, The infection can be spread for approximately 3-5 days from the start of illness. In young children, it can spread longer than in adults. It may occur for 7-10 days and may last longer.
In patients with severe immunodeficiency
Bureau of Epidemiology Ministry of Public Health Informing that from the beginning of this year to the end of October Nearly 65,000 people have been diagnosed with influenza, and 27 people have died. Who would have believed that the flu could be severe? And don’t hope that people who have already had it will have immunity.
flu symptoms
If you have the flu, the fever will go away within 2-3 days. And if you really have a cold, Most symptoms are related to the respiratory system.
The most common symptoms include high fever, stuffy nose, sore throat, muscle pain, headache, cough and feeling tired. These symptoms begin two days after exposure to the virus and often last no more than a week. But a cough can last for more than two weeks.
In children, complications of influenza may include viral pneumonia. Pneumonia caused by bacteria that grows in the airways (sinus) and worsens existing health problems, such as asthma or heart failure.
Do’s and don’ts for the flu
- Patients with mild symptoms, such as a low-grade fever and still able to eat, may see a doctor or request medication and advice from their local pharmacist. and can take care of each other at home as follows
- Get plenty of sleep in a well-ventilated room. You should not exercise.
- Drink lots of mineral salt water and fruit juices. Refrain from drinking cold water.
- Treat according to symptoms If you have a fever, use a damp cloth to wipe yourself. If the fever does not go down, take fever reducing medicine such as paracetamol. Do not use aspirin. If after taking the medicine your symptoms do not improve within 2 days, you should see your doctor immediately.
- Try to eat nutritious foods such as porridge, rice porridge, eggs, vegetables, fruits, etc.
The difference between Dengue fever and influenza
The symptoms of these 2 diseases are not very different. Even the World Health Organization (WHO) has said that these 2 diseases are almost indistinguishable, especially in the first 2-3 days. They include headache, body temperature, sore throat, and joint pain. Importantly, “There is no cure. And you can get it again.”
Influenza still has a vaccine to prevent it , but it’s just the flu. If it’s another virus, it won’t work. And once you’ve gotten the preventative injection, you have to get the injection every year, especially for young children and the elderly.
If we talk about the similarity of the initial symptoms of these two diseases, sometimes adults still can’t fully tell what the symptoms are, right? When I got sick, I knew I didn’t want to go to work. And if it were a small child, what would it be like to sit and explain? I still don’t know some of the words. I’m probably confused as the story goes. It’s the parents who need to follow up and watch for symptoms.
Now it’s time to have a fever. Keep an eye on your symptoms. In 2-3 days the symptoms won’t improve. Just find a doctor. Don’t be complacent at all. Otherwise, it may escalate. I really have to thank Khun Por Atthi Sahawong for making everyone seriously need to understand dengue fever. May the blessings of the Triple Gem be granted to grant Khun Po a day and night. Come back and continue to be our favorite gift.