Dengue, Malaria

Dr Pushkar Pradip Shah, the Consultant Physician and Diabetologist at SANJIVANI Speciality Clinic, offers urgent and high-quality medical attention to acute infectious diseases prevalent in our area, such as Dengue and Malaria. These fevers can have serious complications that require strict monitoring and effective management, which can be prevented by swift diagnosis.

Dengue Fever Management

Dengue is a viral disease spread by the Aedes aegypti mosquito and is characterised by high fever, headache, muscle and joint aches, and rash in most cases.

• Crucial Monitoring:The primary goal is to check the patient's platelet count and hematocrit, and note any signs of severe dengue, including persistent vomiting, acute abdominal pain, and bleeding.
• Supportive Care: There is no specific anti-viral treatment, so most of the treatment is supportive, including: Ensuring proper hydration by using oral or liquid intravenous fluids.
  Pain and fever Management with Paracetamol; non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen, should be avoided as they may cause bleeding.
• Preventing Complications: Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) or Dengue Shock Syndrome (DSS) should be recognised early to facilitate a quick response and recovery.

Malaria Management

Malaria is a disease that poses a significant threat to life and is caused by the Plasmodium parasite, which is introduced through the bite of an infected Anopheles mosquito.

• Rapid Diagnosis:The disease is diagnosed rapidly through a blood smear or a Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) to determine the Plasmodium species (e.g., P. vivax or the more severe P. falciparum).
• Targeted Therapy: This therapy involves administering a specific course of anti-malarial medication tailored to the particular species of the parasite and local drug resistance rates within the area.
• Preventing Relapse: In the case of P. vivax, follow-up medication is often administered to target the dormant liver stage of the parasite, thereby preventing relapse.
• Complication Watch: This is closely observed for signs of severe malaria, such as jaundice, kidney failure, or cerebral malaria.