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Dengue fever attacks anyone indiscriminately. Starting from children, adults, to old people. This disease is transmitted by dengue virus-carrying mosquitoes through bites on the skin. So, do not be surprised if there are one or two people in a family or environment who have dengue fever at the same time.
Dengue virus infection will show in several phases. However, is the phase of dengue fever in children different from adults? Come on, see the answer from an internal medicine specialist who was met directly by the Hello Sehat Team at the Gatot Subroto Army Hospital, Senen, Central Jakarta, on Thursday (29/11).
Dengue phase in children and adults
Dengue virus affects several body systems, namely the immune system, liver system, and blood vessels. If a person is infected with dengue fever, he will experience a fever phase, a critical phase, and a healing phase. It is in this phase that the child's body system begins to be attacked by the dengue fever virus.
Well, it turns out that the three phases of dengue fever are experienced by all ages, both children and adults. "Yes, the phase is the same. However, it does not mean that there is plasma leakage (leaked plasma) in a critical phase. "This depends on the response of each person's body and other risk factors," said Dr. dr. Leonard Nainggolan, Sp.PD-KPTI, a specialist in internal medicine from Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital (RSCM), Central Jakarta.
The fever phase indicates that the immune system is trying to fight the inflammation caused by the dengue virus infection. Fever due to dengue is very typical, which occurs suddenly with a body temperature of more than 39 degrees Celsius.
Apart from sudden high fever, the patient will experience other symptoms such as muscle aches, headaches, nausea and vomiting, as well as pain behind the eyes. Usually this fever will last for 2 to 7 days. After passing the fever phase, DHF patients will experience a critical phase.
Just as the name suggests, the critical phase signifies a serious condition that needs immediate treatment. The reason is, in some cases, patients often experience bleeding and leakage of blood plasma. This condition occurs when blood plasma leaves the blood vessels because the gaps in the endothelial cells continue to enlarge.
This blood plasma leak can cause the patient to experience severe abdominal pain, nosebleeds, persistent vomiting, and enlarged liver.
If the patient does not experience plasma leakage or can pass this phase, the body will try to recover. This phase is called the healing phase and the patient will experience a fever again. But, you dont have to worry. The patient's health gradually improves and the symptoms gradually decrease. The patient will return to eating well and begin to carry out activities as usual.
However, the febrile phase in children often causes dehydration
In the early phases of dengue fever, there is one additional symptom that can occur in children, namely dehydration. Compared to adults, children tend to be less fluid when they have a high fever.
Hot body temperature can reduce the amount of fluid in the body. Moreover, children are not able to take care of themselves by drinking enough water or are not able to tell their parents when they need to drink.
To avoid this, you should increase your fluid intake when you have a fever. Not only water, parents can provide electrolyte drinks, fruit juices, or milk. Don't forget to compress the child's body with a warm towel so that your little one's body will be more comfortable.
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