Dengue fever kills at least 34 people so far this year (2019) in Karachi. The fever has reduced the number of hospitals in the city. Many people with dengue finding its treatment with papaya leaf juice or Joshanda. The majority of people believe that papaya juice causes increased platelets in the blood of people with dengue fever. Taking this situation in view a famous restaurant in Karachi starts papaya leaf juice and giving it to the people for free. We must remember that at least 34 people died in Karachi so far in 2019 due to the deadly fever. Doctors say there is no scientific justification that papaya juice reduces dengue fever or helps in making platelets. What are the results of research on papaya leaves? It is very surprising that I read the research published in The Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical BioMedicine in 2011. This research found ingredients in papaya leaves that prevent the growth of dengue virus in dengue-infected patients. This research was carried out by experts from various universities of Pakistan. These universities include Quaid-e-Azam University Islamabad, Nuclear Institute of Food and Agriculture, PCSIR, University of Peshawar, and Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar. The same research publishes in the Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biodiversity and in many U.S. journals. Pakistani biotechnology experts claim that papaya leaves contain many ingredients. These ingredients prevent the dengue virus’s growth in the blood of an infected person. This results in an increase in the number of platelets in the blood. Experts Opinion on Papaya Juice Experts say that it is wrong to believe that any ingredient in papaya leaf juice increases platelets. According to them, the ingredients in papaya leaf juice prevent the dengue virus from developing in the blood. This results in platelet reproduction. According to an article published in the International Journal of Health Sciences and Research, the ingredients contain in papaya leaf contain a chemical called Carpin. This chemical provides strong immunity in patients against dengue fever. All these experts say that more research is needed to better understand the ingredients found in papaya leaves. To make successful efforts to make the disease medicine. Dr. Saqib Ansari, (a renown obstetrician, and bone marrow transplant surgeon) say dengue fever can dangerous for very few people. Some people lose their lives because of a lack of proper and timely treatment. He said that if a dengue fever is confirmed in the patient, any specialist doctor should be consulted. If red spots appear on the body, bleeding from the mouth and other parts of the body starts, then the patient must be taken to a better hospital.
Dengue Fever: An Easy Awareness Guide
Its symptoms majorly appear three to fourteen days after infection. Dengue virus is transmitted through the bite of a female mosquito known as Anopheles. In this article, I will discuss briefly dengue fever for the purpose of public awareness. Dengue Fever Serotypes Dengue fever virus (DENV) is an RNA virus of the family Flaviviridae; genus Flavivirus. This fever majorly caused by four genetically related but antigenically distinct dengue virus (DENV) serotypes DENV-1 DENV-2, DENV-3, DENV-4 While DENV-1 and DENV-2 are the major circulating serotypes. Epidemiology In 2018, there were 23 deaths due to dengue reported in Pakistan. During 2018, all federal entities in the country reported cases, with incidence rates ranging from 8.7 to 199.4 cases per 100,000 population (in Portuguesa and Delta Amacuro, respectively) During 2018 total of 464 suspected cases of Diphtheria were reported. Last week 16 new cases were reported. Dengue Surveillance: In 2018 total of 3204 Dengue cases were reported, from Sindh (2088) Balochistan (69), Punjab (539), KPK (332) and Tribal Districts KP (175), AJK (1). Pathophysiology The incubation period for dengue infection is 4-7 days (range 3-14).1 It may be asymptomatic or may result in a spectrum of illness ranging from undifferentiated mild febrile illness to severe disease, with or without plasma leakage and organ impairment. Symptomatic dengue infection is a systemic and dynamic disease with clinical, hematological and serological profiles changing from day today. These changes accelerate within hours or even minutes during the critical phase, particularly in those with plasma leakage. Disease Monitoring Tests White cell count (WCC) and Platelet count In the early febrile phase, WCC and platelet count are usually normal but will decrease rapidly as the disease progresses. The decrease in WCC is accompanied by platelet reduction. There is no correlation between disease severity and platelet count level III and it is not predictive of bleeding. In the recovery phase, the WCC normalize followed by platelet. Haematocrit (HCT) A rising HCT is a marker of plasma leakage in dengue infection. The median values of normal HCT level among Malaysian populations are male • < 60 years – 46% male > 60 years – 42%• female (all age groups) – 40% • Other important blood tests in disease monitoring are Liver Function Test (LFT), Renal profile (RP), coagulation profile, lactate, and blood gases. Special tests such as Troponin and Creatine Kinase (CK) should be discussed with the Specialists before performing. Major Diagnostic Tests: Rapid Combo Test This test can detect the presence of the virus as well as antibodies. It can be read within 15 – 20 minutes. If read late then it may false-positive results. In order to reduce the probability of false-positive test Dengue Antigen and Serology tests performed by ELISA. These are the most common test performed for dengue fever. Non -structural Protein (NS 1 Antigen) NS1 is basically a glycoprotein. The secretion of the NS1 protein is a hallmark of flavivirus infecting mammalian cells. It is found in the dengue fever test as well as Yellow fever and West Nile fever infection. The rate of detection is much better primary as compared to the secondary phase. As NS1 the sensitivity reduces after 4 – 5 days and almost undetectable after the recovery phase. Dengue IgM test It is the most widely used ELISA serological test. The antibody concentration is considerably higher in primary infection as compared to the secondary one. As soon as it is detectable its level rises almost two weeks after the symptoms appear. In 80%-99% of cases in primary dengue infection, it is detectable after 5 – 6 days. However, it is detected in 78% of patients in secondary patients almost at day seven due to the presence of IgG. So, 28% of secondary infections of dengue undiagnosed when only IgM assay performed. Dengue IgG test After seven of dengue fever infection, IgG was detectable 100% of the patient. It is recommended to repeat the IgG test even if the IgM test is still negative after seven days along with the negative result of IgG in the initial test sample. Management There is no specific treatment available for dengue Acetaminophen is used to alleviate pain and reduce fever. Avoid analgesics that can lead to elevate bleeding complications such as aspirin, ibuprofen & naproxen sodium. Avoid using antibiotics. If you have severe dengue fever, you may need: Supportive care in a hospital Intravenous (IV) fluid and electrolyte replacement Blood pressure monitoring Transfusion to replace blood loss