Dengue

🦟 What Is Dengue & What’s Happening Inside the Body?

Dengue is a viral fever caused by a mosquito bite—specifically the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which breeds in clean stagnant water and bites during the day. When infected, the virus enters your bloodstream and affects your immune system and blood platelets. Think of platelets as your body’s “clotting guards”—when they drop, you may be prone to bleeding and weakness.

There are 4 strains of the dengue virus, so someone may even get infected more than once in their lifetime.

🔍 Root Causes

• Bite from Aedes mosquito (mostly daytime)

• Stagnant water near homes (flower pots, open containers)

• Low immunity and lack of protective measures
  
  

📊 How Common Is It?

Dengue cases spike during monsoon season. According to India's NVBDCP, lakhs of cases are reported annually, especially in urban and semi-urban areas.

🚨 Signs & Symptoms

(These vary person to person)

• Sudden high fever (up to 104°F)

• Severe headache, especially behind the eyes

• Muscle and joint pain

• Nausea or vomiting

• Extreme fatigue

• Rash

• Low platelet count (seen in lab tests)

• In some cases: nosebleeds or gum bleeding

📝 Subjective: Not everyone shows all symptoms. Some may just feel tired or feverish.

🥗 Nutrition During Dengue

Food is medicine during Dengue recovery. While there's no "magic cure," the right nutrition supports immunity, manages symptoms, and helps the body heal faster.

🧂 Core Dietary Focus

• Immune-Supportive: More protein to build antibodies

• Hydrating & Light: Easy-to-digest meals

• Anti-inflammatory: Fresh fruits & fluids
  
  

✅ What to Eat:

• Homemade khichdi, curd-rice, dal-rice (add a protein element!)

• Boiled eggs, curd, paneer, lentils

• Soups, smoothies, coconut water, lime water

• Soft fruits: banana, papaya, apple (or juice form)

• Frequent small meals
  
  

⚠️ What to Limit (not avoid):

• Fried, spicy, or heavy meals

• Processed foods

• Sugar-laden packaged juices

• Street food
  
  

Tip: Don’t skip meals—even if you’re not hungry. Dengue drains energy.

💊 Key Nutrients to Focus On

• Protein: For healing and immune support

• Vitamin C: Antioxidant, supports recovery

• Folic Acid & B12: Help blood production

• Iron & Zinc: For tissue repair and immunity

• Fluids: Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS), electrolyte drinks, plain water

❌ Myth: Papaya leaf juice may help in some cases, but it’s not a cure.

🌿 Lifestyle Recommendations

🧘 Rest & Sleep:

• 8–10 hours sleep daily

• Frequent naps are okay—your body needs it!
  
  

💧 Hydration:

• Minimum 2.5–3 liters/day

• Coconut water, ORS, or nimbu-pani help retain salts
  
  

🧍 Light Movement:

• Avoid exertion, but gentle movement when feeling better is okay

🩺 Lab Markers:

• Platelet Count (daily if hospitalized)

• NS1 Antigen, IgM/IgG (for diagnosis)

• CBC (overall infection markers)
  
  

🔁 Body Signals:

• Energy levels

• Bleeding or bruising

• Urine output

• Appetite

Keep a simple food + symptom diary to catch what helps or worsens your condition.

📞 Take the Next Step

If you're recovering from Dengue or caring for someone who is, book a consultation with Dr. Umesh Wadhwani and his team. Get a personalized nutrition plan to support recovery and prevent relapse.

📅Click here to Book your free 30-minute consultation

🎥 Watch this video for complete guidance:
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