Times of India
01 July 2010
Bangalore, India

The bad weather is playing havoc on Bangaloreans’ health. City hospitals are witnessing a rise in the number of patients diagnosed with dengue. Dr H Paramesh, director, paediatric pulmonologist, Lakeside Hospital, said at least 10 to 15 cases of dengue have been reported in the past one week alone. “We have seen an increase in the cases in the past one week. Most of the cases have been reported from Shivajinagar and Tannary Road. This year the cases are more as compared to last year,” he said. Dr George D’Souza, head of the department, chest medicine, chief of medical services, St Johns Hospital, also confirmed that they have seen a rise in dengue cases in the past couple of days.

What Is Dengue?

• Dengue fever is transmitted by the bite of an Aedes mosquito that has been infected with any one of the four dengue viruses. Symptoms usually appear within 3-14 days after the infective bite.

Watch This

• Mild fever, to incapacitating high fever, with severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pain, and rash. There are no specific antiviral medicines for dengue. Precaution Maintain hydration. Use of acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) and non steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (ibuprofen) is not advisable.

How Can Dengue Be Prevented?

• Use mosquito repellents and mosquito nets
• Wear long-sleeved shirts
• Avoid mosquito breeding sites. Discard items that can collect rain or run-off water