Dengue shock syndrome is one among the stages of dengue hemorrhagic fever, which is a fatal condition, usually occurs in extremes of ages as in young children and in elderly people

Who are more prone to dengue fever?

It is believed that people with weak immune system and those who are developing a second dengue infection, are more vulnerable to dengue fever. The severity also depends on multiple reasons such as immunity, recurrent dengue infection, and multiple co morbidities and so on and also who are suffering from illnesses. The shock in dengue is a very complex diagnosis and there are no methods to predict the outcome and progression. Until the recent times, there is no specific therapy that has been shown to be effective.

Signs of dengue shock syndrome:

• Abdominal pain or tenderness

• Persistent vomiting

• Lethargy or restlessness
• Liver enlargement
• Increases in hematocrit concurrent with rapid decrease in platelet count
• Shock syndrome will occur after 2 to 7 days of infection, patients can be seen getting affected with symptoms like, blueness around the mouth, spitting up of blood, heart inflammation, pneumonia, sudden collapse, weak pulse, easy bruising and bleeding are some of the major symptoms.

Precautions and recommendations:

• Get yourself tested for dengue

• Keep your surroundings clean and avoid water logging in your area

• Use mosquito repellent to avoid getting bitten by the mosquitoes
• Maintain a healthy lifestyle

 
Authored By : Dr Ambanna Gowda, Consultant, Internal Medicine, Fortis Hospital, Cunningham Road Bangalore