Max Lab
Aug 29, 2022
Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral infection caused by the dengue virus. Also called break-bone fever, dengue generally spreads in tropical areas of the world, especially during monsoons when the weather is humid and warm. Dengue fever is spread by the bite of an Aedes mosquito found in tropical and subtropical areas worldwide. When an Aedes mosquito bites a dengue-infected person, it becomes a carrier of the virus. While the virus cannot get transmitted directly from person to person, it spreads through the Aedes mosquito. When this mosquito bites another body, s/he can be infected with the dengue virus. The virus can infect anyone within any group, either adults or kids. However, children are more likely to catch the disease as they play outdoors and are not fully aware of the intricacies of these mosquito bites. Here is more on dengue fever in children and things parents should do.
While dengue fever is usually mild in young children, there may be some moderate or severe symptoms in children who have had infections in the past. Some common signs and symptoms of dengue fever are:
Infants and toddlers may not be able to express their discomfort and pain. So, you must be more careful and attentive to observe any symptoms like:
If you notice these symptoms between June to October and your child seems increasingly irritated or restless, you must seek medical attention.
When a mosquito infected with the virus bites a child, the virus enters the bloodstream and multiplies.
Some children are at higher risk of developing dengue fever if:
Dengue fever symptoms in kids can be observed from 4-5 days to 2 weeks after being bitten by an infected mosquito. It is advised to consult a doctor as early as possible. They may be prescribed dengue tests and malaria tests to determine the exact condition.
There are many things to keep in mind if you notice any dengue symptoms in your kid. Meanwhile, you need to take the following actions.
If the baby has a high fever, you should try to bring the temperature down by giving any medicines as prescribed by a paediatrician. You can also try tepid sponging to bring down the child's fever.
Hydration is a crucial part of dengue treatment. In many severe cases, doctors give electrolytes and intravenous fluids to refill fluids lost through vomiting. Even if the dengue diagnosis has not been established yet, keeping your child well-hydrated is good for any case of fever. Along with water, you can also give citrus fruit juices, tender coconut water, guava, or Giloy juice to build immunity.
Children tend to lose their appetite in case of dengue fever. Yet, it is important to give them whatever they like to eat and keep them well-fed to fight infection. Make sure you add enough amount of immunity-building food to your kid’s diet plant, such as garlic, turmeric, almonds, etc., to strengthen your child’s immunity and aid in fast recovery. In the case of infants, mothers should not skip breastfeeding them. However, you must avoid force-feeding your child as it can make them irritated and uncomfortable.
As much as a healthy diet and medicines are vital for recovery, adequate rest and sleep are also crucial. When you notice symptoms of dengue in kids, ensure a cool and comfortable environment for them to rest well. Put your child to bed so that s/he does not feel exhausted and sleeps well. Children may need to be on bed rest for a specific period based on the severity of their symptoms. Sufficient rest and a nutritious diet will help strengthen immunity and destroy the virus.
It is crucial to take your child to a doctor who will prescribe a dengue test to confirm the virus. Also, a physical examination will be done to understand the severity of the condition. While there is no specific dengue fever treatment for kids, the doctor will recommend medicines to help them fight fever and related symptoms, which will help cure dengue.
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