There is no specific antiviral drug for dengue, so rest, preventing dehydration and eating nourishing, easily digested food are what matter. Paracetamol can be taken for fever and pain as a doctor advises.

To prevent dehydration, drink water, oral rehydration solution, coconut water, soup and other fluids regularly. Vomiting or diarrhoea raises the risk further, and a doctor may advise more fluids.

Rice, khichuri, lentils, soup, soft vegetables and fruit can all be eaten. With little appetite, small frequent meals are better than large ones. Eggs, fish and other protein foods can be eaten in moderation. Heavily spiced food and unhealthy packaged food are best avoided.

Platelets can fall in dengue, but no particular food or home remedy should be relied on to raise them. Lemon, amla, pomegranate, pumpkin and green vegetables are nourishing, but there is no guarantee they raise platelets directly. Research on the popular claims for papaya-leaf juice and aloe vera juice does not yet support using them as treatment.

Patients must be watched even after the fever falls. Severe abdominal pain, repeated vomiting, bleeding from the nose or gums, vomiting blood, black stools, extreme weakness, restlessness or breathlessness mean going to hospital at once. Children, older people, pregnant women and people with other conditions need extra care.

Photo: Cjp24 / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Source: Our Islam