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Why Self-Medicating During Dengue Can Be Dangerous?

Why Self-Medicating During Dengue Can Be Dangerous

<span><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/dengue">Dengue</a></span> is often mistaken for a routine viral fever, especially during the monsoon when fever, body ache and weakness are common. However, dengue can sometimes become serious within a short period. One of the biggest concerns I see is people trying to manage the illness themselves by taking medicines without medical advice. 

Self-medication during dengue is not just unnecessary it can sometimes increase the risk of complications. 

<h2>Not Every Fever Medicine Is Safe in Dengue </h2>

When people develop fever and body pain, they may commonly take painkillers such as ibuprofen, aspirin or other anti-inflammatory medicines. In suspected or confirmed dengue, these medicines should be avoided because they can increase the risk of bleeding. Doctors generally recommend paracetamol for fever and pain, but even this should be taken in the correct dose and not repeatedly or in combination with other medicines containing paracetamol. 

It is also important not to start antibiotics on your own. <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/delhi-sees-nearly-6x-rise-in-h1n1-cases-how-is-it-different-from-other-respiratory-infections-article-155502768" data-type="tilCustomLink">Dengue</a> is caused by a virus, so antibiotics do not treat the infection. Taking unnecessary antibiotics can expose the patient to side effects without providing any benefit.

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/world-mosquito-day-how-dengue-can-damage-your-kidneys-article-155840871" data-type="tilCustomLink">World Mosquito Day: How Dengue Can Damage Your Kidneys</a> 

<h2>A Falling Fever Does Not Always Mean Recovery </h2>

Another common misconception is that once the fever comes down, the patient is recovering. In dengue, warning signs can actually appear around the time the fever starts to settle. This is why monitoring during the illness is important, even when the patient feels temporarily better. 

Patients should seek immediate medical attention if they develop severe <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/parenting/beware-common-mistakes-new-parents-make-during-their-babys-first-monsoon-article-155300764" data-type="tilCustomLink">abdominal pain</a>, repeated vomiting, bleeding from the nose or gums, blood in vomit or stool, breathing difficulty, extreme weakness, restlessness or unusual sleepiness.

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/parenting/monsoon-babies-protecting-infants-from-mosquito-bites-without-compromising-safety-article-155837564" data-type="tilCustomLink">Monsoon Babies: Protecting Infants From Mosquito Bites Without Compromising Safety</a> 

<h2>Hydration and Monitoring Matter </h2>

There is currently no specific <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/surge-in-dengue-malaria-cases-in-delhi-ncr-how-to-prevent-getting-infected-article-151039907" data-type="tilCustomLink">antiviral medicine</a> that cures dengue. Treatment mainly focuses on supportive care, including adequate fluids, rest, symptom control and careful monitoring for complications. 

Patients may need medical evaluation and, depending on their symptoms and stage of illness, blood tests or repeated monitoring. The treatment plan should be decided by a healthcare professional rather than based on a previous prescription or advice from friends and relatives. 

<h2>Avoid the “One Medicine Fits All” Approach </h2>

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Every patient is different. Age, pregnancy, existing medical conditions, other medicines being taken and the severity of symptoms can all influence treatment decisions. Taking multiple fever or pain medicines together can also lead to accidental overdosing or unwanted drug interactions. 

My advice is simple: do not treat dengue based on guesswork. If you have a high fever with severe <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/vector-borne-diseases-in-the-monsoon-safety-tips-for-keeping-kids-healthy-during-the-rainy-season-article-151032558" data-type="tilCustomLink">body ache</a>, headache, nausea, vomiting or rash, consult a doctor and get evaluated. 

Dengue is usually manageable with appropriate care, but delaying medical attention or taking the wrong medicines can make a preventable situation more dangerous. Early consultation, proper hydration, appropriate medication and awareness of warning signs remain the safest approach.

<strong><em>By Dr DP Singh, Senior Consultant Internal Medicine, Regency Health Lucknow</em></strong>

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Dengue is often mistaken for a routine viral fever, especially during the monsoon when fever, body ache and weakness are common. However, dengue can sometimes become serious within a short period. One of the biggest concerns I see is people trying to manage the illness themselves by taking medicines without medical advice. Self-medication during dengue is not just unnecessary it can sometimes increase the risk of complications. Not Every Fever Medicine Is Safe in Dengue When people develop fever and body pain, they may commonly take painkillers such as ibuprofen, aspirin or other anti-inflammatory medicines. In suspected or confirmed dengue, these medicines should be avoided because they can increase the risk of bleeding. Doctors generally recommend paracetamol for fever and pain, but even this should be taken in the correct dose and not repeatedly or in combination with other medicines containing paracetamol. It is also important not to start antibiotics on your own. Dengue is caused by a virus, so antibiotics do not treat the infection. Taking unnecessary antibiotics can expose the patient to side effects without providing any benefit.Also read: World Mosquito Day: How Dengue Can Damage Your Kidneys A Falling Fever Does Not Always Mean Recovery Another common misconception is that once the fever comes down, the patient is recovering. In dengue, warning signs can actually appear around the time the fever starts to settle. This is why monitoring during the illness is important, even when the patient feels temporarily better. Patients should seek immediate medical attention if they develop severe abdominal pain, repeated vomiting, bleeding from the nose or gums, blood in vomit or stool, breathing difficulty, extreme weakness, restlessness or unusual sleepiness.Also read: Monsoon Babies: Protecting Infants From Mosquito Bites Without Compromising Safety Hydration and Monitoring Matter There is currently no specific antiviral medicine that cures dengue. Treatment mainly focuses on supportive care, including adequate fluids, rest, symptom control and careful monitoring for complications. Patients may need medical evaluation and, depending on their symptoms and stage of illness, blood tests or repeated monitoring. The treatment plan should be decided by a healthcare professional rather than based on a previous prescription or advice from friends and relatives. Avoid the “One Medicine Fits All” Approach                Every patient is different. Age, pregnancy, existing medical conditions, other medicines being taken and the severity of symptoms can all influence treatment decisions. Taking multiple fever or pain medicines together can also lead to accidental overdosing or unwanted drug interactions. My advice is simple: do not treat dengue based on guesswork. If you have a high fever with severe body ache, headache, nausea, vomiting or rash, consult a doctor and get evaluated. Dengue is usually manageable with appropriate care, but delaying medical attention or taking the wrong medicines can make a preventable situation more dangerous. Early consultation, proper hydration, appropriate medication and awareness of warning signs remain the safest approach.By Dr DP Singh, Senior Consultant Internal Medicine, Regency Health Lucknow

why self-medicating during dengue can be dangerous?

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