Dangerous bite, SB's experience
After a week of missing run due to twisted ankle while confronting a group of canines, my life was forced to take another unusual "non-running" route due to another dangerous creature that bites... the deadly Aedes mosquito...
SB was diagnosed of dengue fever on Tuesday (17/8/10). For a week, our usual life turned upside-down, with Yang missing his kindergarten and papa missing all his runs. Grandma and grand-aunty came to stay with the kids while papa accompanied mama in the hospital.
We are well aware of the ways to prevent dengue fever, that's to kill or to prevent the growing of Aedes. However, very little that we know on what to do or what to expect when we are diagnosed of dengue fever.
Here, I will try to put together our week-long encounter during SB's fight against the deadly disease.
Pre-diagnostic
Her fever started on Friday, three-and-a-half days before the diagnostic. The fever syndrome came and went away lasting for about 3 days. During this period of "pre-diagnosed" time, her body temperature went up and down in cycles of 4 to 8 hours. The body temperature could go to as high as 40 degrees. The body temperature went back to normal each time she took "paracetamol"... that's panadol.
She had no other sign of discomfort apart from feeling tired and occasional nausea, no flu, no cough, no sore throat, no ulcer.
Interestingly, we even went for a movie in the cinema with the kids on Sunday.
3 days into fever syndrome, first blood test
We started to feel uncomfort with the recurrence of fever on Monday, and suspected she might be suffering from dengue fever. Aunty YJ also encouraged her to take a blood test for peace of mind. Initially, I was at the optimistic side because she could carry out her daily activity as usual with the help of "paracetamol". Despite being optimistic, I brought her for blood test on Monday night, and that was proven to be a wise move.
We got the blood test result 4 hours later, 12am, Tuesday.
The result showed a lower than normal blood platelet count. The hospital did not confirm nor dismiss that she was having dengue fever. The hospital just asked her to go back for another blood test the next evening.
Being inexperience, we did not ask for the actual blood platelet count, which is a useful information for another doctor if you decided to take the second blood test elsewhere.
We were worried.
4 days into fever syndrome, dengue fever confirmed
Tuesday 9:30am. Being worried, we did not wait until the evening for the second blood test. After sending the schooling kids to school, we went for another blood test in Asunta Hospital. Being unsure, the doctor suggested to test for the H1N1 too even though the chance of having H1N1 was low.
3 hours later, the blood test result confirmed that she was another dengue fever victim. She had to be hospitalized.
Blood platelet count
Dengue fever victims experience very low blood platelet count. The effect of low blood platelet count could be as serious as permanent organ damage and even deadly. It is also an indication of whether one is recovering from the syndrome.
For SB, she felt very tired and a little nausea/lack of appetite on Day-6 when her blood platelet count dropped to 34 (i.e. 34,000 per microlitre of blood).
Below is a record of SB's blood platelet count fluctuation during her fight.
Day-4 (Tue), hospitalized
Blood platelet count: 100
Day-5 (Wed).
Blood platelet count: 60.
Day-6 (Thu)
Blood platelet count: 34.
Blood platelet count: 40.
Day-7 (Friday)
Blood platelet count: 50+.
Day-8 (Saturday)
Blood platelet count: 72.
Day-9 (Sunday), discharged
Blood platelet count: >100.
Some victims' platelet count could go as low as single digit. Some need transfusion of blood platelet to sustain life.
Hospitalization
No thanks to Aedes mosquito, SB experienced the following while hospitalized... something that you would not want to...
According to the doctor, there is no medication cure for dengue fever. The treatment is, in essence, "fluid management" of body, and relief of syndrome. The patient has to be properly hydrated for the fight. Besides, the strength of one's immune system plays an important role too.
SB was fortunate that her blood platelet count did not drop to the level that needing blood tranfusion.
As dengue fever is due to virus infection, the recovered patient can eat anything he/she wants... a good news to SB. She even ate 'bak kut teh' on Day-8!
The 'traditional supplements'
This is the most important section of my sharing. As a typical Chinese, we also believe in the traditional ways of fighting all kind of disease, so is true for the dengue fever.
Having say that, the first thing that you MUST do is to consult a doctor and to be admitted into a hospital if you have such a case. With that in mind, here come the 'traditional supplements'...
Apart from the medication given by the hospital, SB also consumed the following traditional supplements as suggested by relatives and friends. Though not scientifically proven, I strongly believe that they helped.
Runners' best friend...
...plenty plenty of it!
Un-diluted papaya leaf juice...
...once on Day-4 and Day-5. SB said it tasted awful.
Frog/Tot (Chinese said 'tian ji' or 'padi-field chick') with bitter gourd soup...
Big thanks to aunty YJ for her daily trouble in preparing the soup. The frog/tot can be bought from the wet market. Once on each day.
Watermelon...
... many many of it!
Vitamin C, water-soluble type for easier and faster absorption...
The one in the picture is the 1000mg type, grape flavor.
And lastly, and probably the most important supplement, a type of Chinese medicine known as 'he zhu zhao', or in direct translation 'river pig dates'. In English, it may be known as 'porcupine stone'. It is 'grow' (or 'stone') found only in porcupine that many believe it can cure a lot of 'tough' sickness. SB took 3 doses of 'he zhu zhao' too.
Lessons learnt
In addition to the hospitalization and the 'tranditional supplements', here are the lessons learnt...
Like the advertisement said, you heard it hitted your neighbours and friends... the next one (touch wood) could be you. So, PLEASE apply mosquito-repellent when you are at outdoor. My house is almost 100% protected by mosquito netting... so, most likely SB was 'kissed' while she was at outdoor.
Please have your blood test if you had recurrence of fever for more than 2 days. For SB case, she had no other syndrome other than fever... she could even go for a movie before she was diagnosed. Her life was as usual with the help of 'paracetamol'. You may not know.
For the fight, timing is very important! Day-6 and Day-7 is the vital check-point. After these days, patient's condition either goes 'south' to the life-threatening level, or 'north' to the recovering stage. Patient's condition can take a surprising turn, so be very careful.
Rest... rest... rest...!
Eat... eat... eat...!
Drink... drink... drink...!
(picture from http://www.goc.vn/)
SB was diagnosed of dengue fever on Tuesday (17/8/10). For a week, our usual life turned upside-down, with Yang missing his kindergarten and papa missing all his runs. Grandma and grand-aunty came to stay with the kids while papa accompanied mama in the hospital.
We are well aware of the ways to prevent dengue fever, that's to kill or to prevent the growing of Aedes. However, very little that we know on what to do or what to expect when we are diagnosed of dengue fever.
Here, I will try to put together our week-long encounter during SB's fight against the deadly disease.
Pre-diagnostic
Her fever started on Friday, three-and-a-half days before the diagnostic. The fever syndrome came and went away lasting for about 3 days. During this period of "pre-diagnosed" time, her body temperature went up and down in cycles of 4 to 8 hours. The body temperature could go to as high as 40 degrees. The body temperature went back to normal each time she took "paracetamol"... that's panadol.
She had no other sign of discomfort apart from feeling tired and occasional nausea, no flu, no cough, no sore throat, no ulcer.
Interestingly, we even went for a movie in the cinema with the kids on Sunday.
3 days into fever syndrome, first blood test
We started to feel uncomfort with the recurrence of fever on Monday, and suspected she might be suffering from dengue fever. Aunty YJ also encouraged her to take a blood test for peace of mind. Initially, I was at the optimistic side because she could carry out her daily activity as usual with the help of "paracetamol". Despite being optimistic, I brought her for blood test on Monday night, and that was proven to be a wise move.
We got the blood test result 4 hours later, 12am, Tuesday.
The result showed a lower than normal blood platelet count. The hospital did not confirm nor dismiss that she was having dengue fever. The hospital just asked her to go back for another blood test the next evening.
Being inexperience, we did not ask for the actual blood platelet count, which is a useful information for another doctor if you decided to take the second blood test elsewhere.
We were worried.
4 days into fever syndrome, dengue fever confirmed
Tuesday 9:30am. Being worried, we did not wait until the evening for the second blood test. After sending the schooling kids to school, we went for another blood test in Asunta Hospital. Being unsure, the doctor suggested to test for the H1N1 too even though the chance of having H1N1 was low.
3 hours later, the blood test result confirmed that she was another dengue fever victim. She had to be hospitalized.
Blood platelet count
Dengue fever victims experience very low blood platelet count. The effect of low blood platelet count could be as serious as permanent organ damage and even deadly. It is also an indication of whether one is recovering from the syndrome.
For SB, she felt very tired and a little nausea/lack of appetite on Day-6 when her blood platelet count dropped to 34 (i.e. 34,000 per microlitre of blood).
Below is a record of SB's blood platelet count fluctuation during her fight.
Day-4 (Tue), hospitalized
Blood platelet count: 100
Day-5 (Wed).
Blood platelet count: 60.
Day-6 (Thu)
Blood platelet count: 34.
Blood platelet count: 40.
Day-7 (Friday)
Blood platelet count: 50+.
Day-8 (Saturday)
Blood platelet count: 72.
Day-9 (Sunday), discharged
Blood platelet count: >100.
Some victims' platelet count could go as low as single digit. Some need transfusion of blood platelet to sustain life.
Hospitalization
No thanks to Aedes mosquito, SB experienced the following while hospitalized... something that you would not want to...
- 24-hour drip attached to her right hand for 5 days;
- 8 times of blood test (including the first two blood test for confirmation);
- many 'paracetamols' to regulate body temperature;
- something added into the drip to prevent her from vomitting on Day-4;
- body temperature and blood pressure measurement at very regular interval;
- tasteless food;
- extreme boredom......
According to the doctor, there is no medication cure for dengue fever. The treatment is, in essence, "fluid management" of body, and relief of syndrome. The patient has to be properly hydrated for the fight. Besides, the strength of one's immune system plays an important role too.
SB was fortunate that her blood platelet count did not drop to the level that needing blood tranfusion.
As dengue fever is due to virus infection, the recovered patient can eat anything he/she wants... a good news to SB. She even ate 'bak kut teh' on Day-8!
The 'traditional supplements'
This is the most important section of my sharing. As a typical Chinese, we also believe in the traditional ways of fighting all kind of disease, so is true for the dengue fever.
Having say that, the first thing that you MUST do is to consult a doctor and to be admitted into a hospital if you have such a case. With that in mind, here come the 'traditional supplements'...
Apart from the medication given by the hospital, SB also consumed the following traditional supplements as suggested by relatives and friends. Though not scientifically proven, I strongly believe that they helped.
Runners' best friend...
Un-diluted papaya leaf juice...
Frog/Tot (Chinese said 'tian ji' or 'padi-field chick') with bitter gourd soup...
Watermelon...
Vitamin C, water-soluble type for easier and faster absorption...
And lastly, and probably the most important supplement, a type of Chinese medicine known as 'he zhu zhao', or in direct translation 'river pig dates'. In English, it may be known as 'porcupine stone'. It is 'grow' (or 'stone') found only in porcupine that many believe it can cure a lot of 'tough' sickness. SB took 3 doses of 'he zhu zhao' too.
Lessons learnt
In addition to the hospitalization and the 'tranditional supplements', here are the lessons learnt...
Like the advertisement said, you heard it hitted your neighbours and friends... the next one (touch wood) could be you. So, PLEASE apply mosquito-repellent when you are at outdoor. My house is almost 100% protected by mosquito netting... so, most likely SB was 'kissed' while she was at outdoor.
Please have your blood test if you had recurrence of fever for more than 2 days. For SB case, she had no other syndrome other than fever... she could even go for a movie before she was diagnosed. Her life was as usual with the help of 'paracetamol'. You may not know.
For the fight, timing is very important! Day-6 and Day-7 is the vital check-point. After these days, patient's condition either goes 'south' to the life-threatening level, or 'north' to the recovering stage. Patient's condition can take a surprising turn, so be very careful.
Rest... rest... rest...!
Eat... eat... eat...!
Drink... drink... drink...!
posted by YS at 4:36 PM
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