Preventing dangerous complications of dengue fever.

Recently, many major hospitals in Vietnam have recorded numerous cases of severe dengue fever, including a significant number of cases with dangerous, life-threatening complications.

Patient NVK (male, 82 years old, from Thai Binh province ) was admitted to the Emergency Department of the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases on the 6th day of dengue fever. Initially, he only had a mild fever and fatigue, but quickly developed serious symptoms such as a high fever of 39°C, a drastically low platelet count of only 7 G/L (21 times lower than normal), and gastrointestinal bleeding causing black stools.

After being hospitalized, he was prescribed a platelet transfusion to aid blood clotting. However, bleeding in the muscle tissues of his chest and left arm caused him severe pain, muscle stiffness, and a purplish discoloration. He even lost half of his body's blood volume, and his hemoglobin (Hgb) level plummeted from 140 T/L to 70 T/L, putting him in critical condition.

After 9 days of intensive treatment with blood products, the patient's platelet count increased to 57 G/L, and the gastrointestinal bleeding temporarily stabilized.

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However, doctors still warned of the risk of internal bleeding because this complication is very difficult to control with conventional methods. After half a month of treatment, the patient was discharged, but this case serves as a warning about the dangers of dengue fever and the need for timely detection and treatment.

According to the Center for Tropical Diseases at Bach Mai Hospital, the number of dengue fever patients admitted to hospitals has recently increased significantly, especially in suburban areas of Hanoi such as Hoai Duc, Dan Phuong, Phuc Tho, and neighboring provinces such as Hai Phong, Hai Duong , and Thai Binh.

A 25-year-old male patient from Hoang Mai, Hanoi , was admitted to the hospital after 5 days of high fever and was diagnosed with Dengue hemorrhagic fever with severe liver failure and rapidly decreasing platelet count. A 62-year-old female patient from Dan Phuong, Hanoi, with Dengue hemorrhagic fever type 2, experienced a worsening condition with multiple organ failure, requiring mechanical ventilation and continuous hemodialysis, but her prognosis remains critical.

Associate Professor Dr. Do Duy Cuong, Director of the Center for Tropical Diseases, noted that dengue fever is tending to occur earlier than in previous years and its severity is increasing.

Dengue fever is an infectious disease caused by the Dengue virus, transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito. The disease progresses through three stages:

Fever phase: High fever, muscle and joint pain, mild bleeding, decreased platelet count.

Critical phase: From day 3 to day 7, plasma leakage, respiratory failure, internal bleeding, and the risk of shock and multiple organ failure occur.

Recovery phase: From day 7 to 10, platelet count increases, and the patient gradually stabilizes.

People with underlying health conditions, especially the elderly, are at higher risk of complications such as severe bleeding, liver failure, kidney failure, or multiple organ failure. In particular, improper use of medications, such as Aspirin or Ibuprofen, can worsen bleeding.

To prevent this, it is necessary to eliminate stagnant water environments, treat dark, damp areas, and use mosquito nets while sleeping. Therefore, early recognition of symptoms and timely treatment are crucial to minimizing the risk of complications.

Associate Professor Dr. Do Duy Cuong emphasized that when experiencing symptoms such as sudden high fever, body aches, and abnormal bleeding, patients need to go to a medical facility for proper diagnosis and treatment. Timely detection and treatment can save patients' lives and limit the risk of serious complications.”

Source: https://baodautu.vn/phong-ngua-bien-chung-nguy-hiem-cua-sot-xuat-huyet-dengue-d230485.html