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Chennai Fever Cases Rise: When to Seek Dengue Care
Fever is a sign that something may be wrong, but it does not tell you exactly which illness you have.
Dengue can cause fever, body pain and headache, but other infections can cause the same symptoms.
A doctor may need to examine you and order tests to find the cause.
Drink fluids, rest and watch how your symptoms change.
Seek medical help if the fever lasts, becomes very high or gets worse.
Repeated vomiting, severe stomach pain, trouble breathing, bleeding, confusion, unusual sleepiness or very little urine are warning signs.
Do not take antibiotics on your own because they may not help viral infections.
Removing standing water and using mosquito protection can help reduce dengue risk.
Doctors in Tamil Nadu report fever cases with cough, cold, body pain, headache, vomiting and loose stools.
Fever and body pain do not necessarily indicate dengue; malaria, typhoid, influenza and other infections can cause similar symptoms.
Medical attention is important for persistent or very high fever, repeated vomiting, severe abdominal pain, breathing difficulty, bleeding, confusion or reduced urine output.
Doctors advise fluids, rest and symptom monitoring, while warning against taking antibiotics without medical advice.
Preventive measures include removing stagnant water, using mosquito repellents, drinking safe water and maintaining hand hygiene.
- Who
- People experiencing fever in Tamil Nadu, with guidance from Dr Prasanna Karthik S, Senior Consultant in General Medicine and Internal Medicine at Gleneagles Chennai.
- What
- Doctors are advising people not to assume every fever is dengue and to seek care for persistent, severe or warning symptoms.
- Where
- Tamil Nadu, particularly Chennai as referenced in the medical guidance.
- When
- During periods of changing weather, intermittent rainfall and the rainy season.
- Why
- Fever can result from dengue, malaria, typhoid, influenza or other infections, and the correct treatment depends on identifying the cause.
Key facts
- Common overlapping symptoms
- Fever, body pain, headache, weakness, nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite can occur with dengue and other infections.
- Urgent warning signs
- Breathing difficulty, repeated vomiting, severe abdominal pain, confusion, bleeding, excessive drowsiness, reduced urine output and persistent or very high fever.
- Initial care
- Drink adequate fluids, get sufficient rest and monitor the duration and severity of symptoms.
- Medication advice
- Do not start antibiotics without medical advice; many infections are viral and do not require them.
- Mosquito prevention
- Remove stagnant water, clean coolers and flowerpot trays, cover water containers and use mosquito repellents.
- Other prevention
- Drink safe water, eat freshly prepared food, maintain hand hygiene and reduce close contact when experiencing respiratory symptoms.
Quotes
Dr Prasanna Karthik S
Senior Consultant in General Physician and Internal Medicine at Gleneagles Chennai
“Many infections are viral and do not require antibiotics. Taking medicines without knowing the cause can also delay appropriate treatment.”
NDTV
“It is important to understand that all fever cases cannot be attributed to dengue or any one particular infection.”
NDTV
Sources
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