Come monsoons and infection cases for Dengue go up. According to WHO statistics, there are close two 50-75 million infections happening globally. Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne tropical disease caused by the dengue virus. Symptoms typically begins three to fourteen days after infection. This may include a high fever, headache, vomiting, muscle and joint pains, and a characteristic skin rash. When a mosquito bites a person infected with a dengue virus, the virus enters the mosquito. When the infected mosquito then bites another person, the virus enters that person’s bloodstream.

While there is no such cure yet for the disease, the only option is to tackle the symptoms and stop the platelet count from falling further. Having a good diet can also help stabilize your health and keep the platelet count from dipping further.  Certain foods have also been used alongside traditional healing medicines to prevent and treat the mosquito-borne disease.

Best foods to recover from dengue fever

Having foods rich in antioxidants, rich in nutrients, which help boost immunity can get your health back on track after a dengue infection.

1. Papaya leaf: Papaya extract is rich in enzymes like papain and chymopapain, which aid digestion, prevent bloating and other digestive disorders.30ml of fresh papaya leaf juice helps in increasing the platelet count and, therefore, in the treatment of dengue.

Also watch: Papaya – Health Benefits and Properties

2. Pomegranate: Pomegranate is rich in essential nutrients and minerals that provides the body with required energy. Consumption of pomegranate reduces the feeling of exhaustion and fatigue. Being a rich source of iron, pomegranate stands out to be quite beneficial for the blood. It also helps in maintaining a normal blood platelet count which is essential to recover from dengue. Pomegranate has been used since the ancient times for its healthy and medicinal properties.

3. Garlic: Garlic is one of the best anti-viral foods you will find today. Because of its soothing properties, it’s often added in heaps while cooking traditional meals. It’s also an immunity enhancing food which helps deal with symptoms like inflammation, fever, sore throat. The antimicrobial and antifungal properties root out bad germs and toxins as well, speeding up recovery.

4. Yoghurt: Yoghurt is not just good for your digestion but also to keep your immune system functioning well. It works as a probiotic which stimulates the production of essential gut bacteria, eliminates toxins and provides many more health benefits. Since it’s also refreshing in taste, it makes for a sumptuous snack.

5. Grapefruit: Grapefruit is a tropic fruit full of flavours as well as nutrients. It comes power-packed with high vitamin C content, antioxidants which recharge your immune system. The fruit is also known to work as a fever reliever and boost the production of infection-fighting white blood cells (WBCs) in the body.

6. Coconut Water: Dengue generally results in dehydration. Thus, it is immensely beneficial to consume coconut water – which is loaded with electrolytes and vital nutrients.

7. Turmeric: Being an antiseptic and metabolism booster the consumption of turmeric with milk. This helps in faster recovery.

8. Fenugreek: Methi is known to induce sleep and acts like a mild tranquilizer that aids in easing pain. It is also known to stabilizing the high fever that is a common dengue symptom.

9. Orange: Rich in antioxidants and Vitamin C, orange and its juice also help in treating and eliminating the dengue virus.

10. Broccoli: Broccoli is an excellent source of Vitamin K which helps to regenerate blood platelets. If there’s a sharp decline in the platelet count, then broccoli must be included in the daily diet of a dengue patient. It is also rich in antioxidants and minerals.

11. Spinach: Spinach is a rich source of iron and omega-3 fatty acids rich food which improves the immune system to a great extent. It is an effective way to increase the platelet level count.

12. Kiwifruits: s contain good amounts of vitamin A, vitamin E, along with potassium to balance the body’s electrolytes and limiting hypertension and high blood pressure. The copper in kiwifruit is especially for the formation of healthy red blood cells and building immunity against disease.

Foods to be avoided during Dengue fever

1. Oily/Fried food: It’s best to avoid oily food and opt for a lighter diet. Oily food contains a lot of fat which may lead to high blood pressure and high cholesterol. This can put a damper on your road to recovery as it weakens the immune system.

2. Spicy Food – This is a big no for dengue patients. It can cause acid to collect in the stomach and lead to ulcers and damage to the wall. This damage hinders the recovery process as your body seems to be fighting double the illnesses.

3. Caffeinated beverages: Your body needs lots of fluid but caffeinated beverages are not the way to go. Since more hydrating and relaxing fluid intake is recommended, caffeinated drinks should be avoided at all costs. These drinks cause rapid heart rate, fatigue, caffeine crashes, and muscle breakdown

4. Avoid Non- vegetarian food: Non-vegetarian food is a strict “No”. Up your fluid intake and consume warm water instead of normal water.

 Caution:

The dengue fever can rise rapidly after the onset of the initial symptoms. Thus, it is vital that one seeks medical help as soon as these symptoms are observed. The above-mentioned remedies should be adopted as only supplemental forms of treatment.

Also Read: Change your diet plan with these 5 nutritious meals

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Monsoon is here and it usually keeps most people under the weather.  With the corona virus pandemic raging at present, the situation is even harder. Certain common symptoms have made the condition worst with people getting confused between whether they have contracted Covid-19 or are suffering from other vector-borne and water-borne monsoon special ailments.

Monsoons generally are the most fertile breeding season for harmful viruses, bacteria and other microorganisms. Thus, the risk of getting exposed to multiple viruses, bacteria and other infections is way more during the monsoons than any other season.

Common monsoon diseases one must be aware of:

During monsoons, the most common diseases have four mediums of transmission including mosquitoes, water, air and contaminated food. The mosquito-borne ailments like Malaria, Chikungunya and Malaria are the most prevailing conditions of the Monsoons. Frequently occurring water-borne diseases include Typhoid, Cholera, Leptospirosis, Jaundice, Gastro-intestinal infections and Hepatitis A.

Monsoon also bring in a large number of air-borne infections that are spread through pathogens or disease-causing viruses like cold and flu and Influenza. Interestingly, most of these diseases share some of the common symptoms with corona virus which is why it is essential for one to be able to differentiate between the signs and take appropriate measures to stay fit during the monsoons amid Corona virus.

Mosquito-borne diseases:

Mosquito-borne diseases are the most common ailments of the Monsoon. Malaria happens to be one of the major health concerns in India. It is caused by a single-celled parasite, Plasmodium and is hosted by the mosquito Anopheles minimus. This ailment is accompanied by high fever up to 105 degrees for several days.

Caused by Aedes Aegypti mosquito that breeds in stagnant water, the incubation period of Dengue is four to seven days after being bitten. The first symptoms of Dengue fever include fever and fatigue. Chikungunya is caused by Aedes albopictus mosquito and presents distinct arthritis symptoms like pain in the joints and bones and stiffness. High fever, chills and body aches are common symptoms of all three.

Steps to prevent mosquito-borne diseases:

1. Make use of mosquito nets at home.

2. Do not allow water to stagnate or collect anywhere in and around the house.

3. Maintain adequate bathroom hygiene and keep it clean.

4. Make use of mosquito repellants/creams when you step out of the house.

Water-borne diseases:

Water-borne diseases generally show up during the monsoons affecting the children mostly. Caused by S. Typhi bacteria, Typhoid gets transmitted due to poor sanitation. Uncovered or spoilt food and drinking contaminated water are mostly responsible for Typhoid. Fever, headache, joint pain and sore throat are its common signs. Cholera too is caused due to poor santisation and having contaminated food and is accompanied by diarrhoea or loose motions.

Leptospirosis, also called Weli’s Syndrome occurs when one comes in contact with dirty water or muck or mud water. It can be contracted through bruises, cuts, open wounds. Shivers, muscle pain, and headaches are general signs of Leptospirosis. Like Cholera and Typhoid, Jaundice too is caused due to poor sanitisation or consuming contaminated food and water. Jaundice results in liver dysfunction and the symptoms include weakness, fatigue, yellow urine, yellowing of eyes and vomiting.

Gastrointestinal infections include vomiting, diarrhoea and gastroenteritis. Having stale, uncovered, or contaminated food and water causes such infections. Hepatitis A is another common viral infection of the Monsoons that gets transmitted through contaminated food and water. It inflames and damages the liver and has symptoms like fatigue, fever, tenderness in the stomach, yellow eyes, dark-coloured urine and sudden loss of appetite.

Steps of prevention:

1. Boil water and thoroughly wash fruits and vegetables before consumption.

2. Keep food covered and do not eat food from outside.

3. Maintain personal hygiene all the time. Wash your hands or use a hand sanitiser.

4. Get your children vaccinated if they are not already.

Air-borne diseases:

Air-borne diseases spread through pathogens in the air causing common flu, viral fever, cold, cough and sore throat, mostly affecting senior citizens and children and those with weaker immunity. Cold and flu are the most common viral infection that occurs due to sudden temperature fluctuation during monsoon. It is accompanied by a runny nose, watery eyes, fever, chills and sore throat. Influenza is another common Monsoon disease, also known as seasonal flu. It is easily contracted and can be transmitted through the air.

Steps to prevent air-borne diseases:

1. Cover mouth and nose while coughing and sneezing.

2. Take warm water every few hours and carry a bottle of warm water in case you have to step out.

3. Maintain distance from those who are already infected and wash hands and feet when you step inside.

4. Live in well-ventilated homes.

Some tips from the doctor’s desk to have healthy monsoon:

1. Be hydrated all the times, drink only boiled water and do not drink anything from outside.

2. Maintain strict personal hygiene to avoid fungal infection.

3. Wear full-sleeved and light clothes.

4. Focus on having a diet enhancing immunity.

5. Eat freshly washed, boiled vegetables, try to stay away from fats, oils and sodium and limit dairy intake.

Also Read: RAINY SEASON – VITAMIN C CAN BE PREFERRED IMMUNITY BOOSTER

Dr Subrata Das
Senior Consultant – Internal Medicine & Diabetology
Sakra World Hospital,Bengaluru

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