How to Prevent and Treat Dengue Fever Naturally?

Dengue Fever

What is Dengue Fever?

Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne disease, spread by several species of female mosquitoes of the Aedes type especially Aedes aegypti and albopictus. These mosquitoes usually bite in the early morning and evening. This disease is characterized by high-grade fever, tendency to bleed due to the decreased level of platelets, vomiting, etc. This disease had spread like epidemics, several times throughout the world. Moreover, World Health Organization classifies the dengue fever as an uncomplicated but severe disease. That may lead to death, and every year approx. 10,000 to 20,000 people die because of dengue fever.

The incubation period of dengue fever varies from 4 to 14 days. Most of the time the dengue fever is asymptomatic or person may develop a mild fever.

In Ayurveda, dengue fever is correlated to “Visham Jwara”. That too with the predominance of Pitta dosha vitiation.

Phases or Course of Dengue fever

It is divided into three phases – febrile, critical and recovery.

  • In febrile phase, the person may present with fever, rashes, headache, vomiting, petechial hemorrhages, etc.
  • In critical phase, the person may get fluid accumulation, hemorrhage, shock, etc.
  • Recovery phase lasts for 3 to 4 days and usually peeling of the skin is the main feature.

Even this fever is divided on the IV grades out of which the III and IV is considered as “Dengue Shock syndrome”.

Mode of Transmission

The host of this virus is human, but the vehicle of transmission is a mosquito. That usually bite during the evening and early morning. And the virus spread through the infected saliva of mosquitoes.

Risk Factors of Dengue Fever

  • Any history of autoimmune disorders
  • Personal habits like drinking and smoking
  • History of malaria or any other arbovirus diseases

Causes of Dengue Fever

As we discussed the host is human, but the causative agent is female mosquitoes that too particularly the species Aedes aegypti. Moreover, Dengue fever virus (DENV) is an RNA virus that is considered as arbovirus and has various serotypes of the virus-like DENV 1, DENV 2, DENV 3, etc.

As per Ayurveda the cause of Dengue is Agantuja karana i.e these mosquitoes are categorized under agantuja or external factor. The infected saliva contains DNA Virus which directly enters into the bloodstream, reduces the digestive fire and produces toxins in the body. These toxins develop various signs and symptoms such as fever, nausea, hemorrhage, etc. and the condition is called as Visham jwara.

Signs and Symptoms of Dengue Fever

  • Sudden onset of fever
  • Headache
  • Vomiting
  • Nausea
  • Decreased platelet levels
  • Rashes all over the body and even some petechiae
  • Joint and body pains that is why this fever is also called as “break-bone fever”
  • Diarrhea
  • Severe abdominal pain
  • Pain behind the eyes
  • Very low immunity
  • Recurrent infections
  • Weakness
  • Gastrointestinal bleeding or hemorrhage
  • Sometimes there may be a chance of accumulation of fluid in the chest region or in the abdominal cavity.
  • Hepatomegaly
  • Lethargy and restlessness
  • Person may even end up with shock

Diagnosis of Dengue Fever

This disease can be diagnosed on the basis of various laboratory investigations like:-

  • Complete blood count, where the platelets and white blood cells are usually decreased
  • Tourniquet test
  • Check the levels of AST or ALT (Aminotransferase)
  • Polymerase chain reaction
  • Dengue virus specific-antibody types such as IgG and IgM.

Treatment of Dengue Fever as Per Ayurveda

Planet Ayurveda a renowned Ayurvedic clinic that potentially treats various chronic diseases from its roots and has an effective treatment to tackle dengue fever. The treatment modality is to eliminate the toxins i.e. virus from the body, boost up the immunity, increase the amount of platelets in the body, and increase the digestive fire which is responsible for the invasion of viruses. The medicines that are helpful in this condition are:-

1. GILOY CAPSULES

Giloy capsules are the pure extract of herb Tinospora cordifolia which has an anti-viral property that kills the virus present inside the body. It has detoxifier properties, hence also eliminates toxins (ama) from the body. Guduchi herb directly acts on our bone marrow hence promotes the platelet formation and covers the platelet deficiency. Moreover, this herb can treat numerous viral and bacterial infections in the body that is why widely used in treating the various diseases and infections such as Swine flu, Malaria, Chickungunya, etc.

Dosage: 2 capsules twice or thrice daily with plain water, after meals.

2. Tulsi Capsules

Tulsi has immuno-modulator property, hence alters the weak immune system. It eliminates the viral loads from the body, hence strengthens the liver and improves the functions of digestive fire. Tulsi is a widely used herb in case of viral infections, hence manages the levels of white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets. Tulsi is also helpful in reducing pain and weakness during fever.

Dosage: 1-2 capsules twice daily with plain water, after meals.

3. Curcumin Capsules

Curcuma longa has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial actions on the body. Here, Haridra will not act directly on the RNA Virus but it interferes with the action of dengue virus. The cells affected with the RNA virus replicates very fast, but curcumin interferes and restricts its spread. Even curcumin induces the changes in nuclear morphology of the cells, thus, prevents the cells from the virus. Also avoids the chance of remission of disease.

Dosage: 1-2 capsules twice daily with plain water, after meals.

4. Immune Booster

This is a patent preparation of Planet Ayurveda, which is effective in treating various disorders related to the weak immune system. It stimulates the defensive mechanism of the body and increases the production of histamines in the body, thus won’t provide the culture for flourishing the virus and bacteria in the body. Basically, it strengthens the immune system of the body. This medicine acts as a Rasayana hence increases ojas in the body.

Dosage: 1-2 capsules twice daily with plain water, after meals.

Complications

The major complications of the Dengue fever are Dengue hemorrhagic fever and Dengue shock syndrome, which may lead to the death of an individual.

Moreover, there are Vaccines against the dengue fever that has been developed in various countries, but the drawback and limitation of using this vaccination is that they can only be advised before the manifestation of disease. And has no effect and can’t be used during the active phase of life. But the Ayurvedic medicines are very effective and are safe to use during the active period of time or even as a precautionary measure or as preventive medicine.

Dietary Guidelines

So the medicines along with the diet can effectively manage this condition. Some healthy and beneficial diet and home remedies in case of dengue fever are:-

  • Goat’s milk is very effective in increasing the platelet count, so it can be added in your daily diet.
  • Juice of the Papaya leaves is proven beneficial in case of low platelet count.
  • The decoction of ginger can be taken to alleviate fever and restore the digestion.
  • A decoction of Giloy can be used on a daily basis.
  • Green vegetables, pomegranate juice, beetroot juice, carrot juice can be added in daily routine.
  • Avoid the consumption of excessive spicy, salty, sour and fermented foodstuffs.
  • Rehydration is a must, so drink plenty of water.

How Can We Avoid Dengue Fever?

  • Restrict the consumption of infected and stale food.
  • Cover the body and avoid mosquito bites.
  • Minimize the source for development of mosquitoes.