DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental, June 21 (PIA) -- A health official in Negros Oriental reminded the public that sustained hydration is important to prevent dengue-related deaths. 

Dr. Jan Sibala-Arco, municipal health officer of Sibulan town, said dehydration is the main cause of death among dengue patients that is why it is important for the patient to have a continuous fluid intake. 

She explained that a dengue patient normally experiences fever that could last for three days.

After this, the patient enters a critical phase where the volume of blood platelets could potentially collapse which could lead to bleeding and other severe complications of the illness. 

“Ang first days na naa kay fever, ang risk ato is dehydration so kinahanglan ka mag-inom og tubig. Mag-hydrate ra jud ka ani sige para ang pinakakonta aning dengue is  dehydration so if well hydrated ka after ka makalingkawas sa critical phase motaas ra pod ang imong platelet og iyaha (There is a risk for dehydration on the first three days of fever that is why it is important to drink a lot of water. The main concern here is dehydration so if you are well hydrated, your platelets will increase naturally after the critical phase),” Arco said. 

Arco added that medical tests have shown a pattern wherein a patient’s platelet count were restored back to its normal level because of sustained hydration and it is not necessary for dengue patients to drink folk remedies like “salingkapaw” or papaya leaves to boost their platelet count.

The health official added that having a strong immune system is also important to make the body strong against viral diseases like dengue. 

The Department of Health (DOH) has added “sustain hydration” in what is called now the “5S Strategies Kontra Dengue” or the 5S Strategies to prevent the spread of dengue and to avert deaths due to the disease. 

The other four strategies which have been enumerated earlier by the department are Search and destroy possible breeding sites of dengue-carrying mosquitos, Self-Protection like using of insect repellents, Seek early consultation at the nearest health care facility, and Support fogging, spraying and misting in hot spot areas.

Arco also reminded the public to seek consultation at the early onset of the symptoms like fever for proper treatment of the patient. 

“Dili nato ibalewala ang hilanat karon especially na kabalo ta na ulan-ulan na. Uso na pod ang dengue. If one to two days nga na fever especially kon taas na kaayo mga 40 degrees celsius, magpakonsulta na  ta dayon and then magpa-laboratory (We are aware that is rainy season already and dengue disease is prevalent during these times. If you experience high fever reaching 40 degrees celsius for two days,  do not take it as a normal fever, consult the doctor and if possible take laboratory tests),” Arco added. 

She also advised the patients to take only paracetamol medicines to cure their fever since other medicines like Ibuprofen could make the patient prone to bleeding.

In view of this, she also emphasised the importance of practicing the other strategies to keep families safe from the disease. (RAL/PIA7 Negros Oriental)