Table of contents:
- Recognizing the symptoms of dengue fever
- When should DHF patients be hospitalized?
- Signs of serious dengue fever
- What should be noted is that the patient wants to be outpatient
Dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) is a disease that is quite common in Indonesia, especially in hot and humid areas. Usually, people who get dengue fever are recommended to be hospitalized or hospitalized. However, in fact, do all DHF patients have to be hospitalized or are there people allowed to take outpatients and rest at home? Check out the full review below.
Recognizing the symptoms of dengue fever
Be aware of the following symptoms of dengue fever. If you or someone closest to you shows these symptoms, see a doctor immediately.
- Headache
- Pain in muscles, joints, and bones
- Nausea or vomiting
- Fever
- Bruises, rashes, or reddish spots appear
- Difficulty breathing
- Bleeding
In addition to checking for symptoms, health workers at the Puskesmas or hospital will usually perform blood tests. The doctor will read the blood test results to confirm whether you have dengue fever.
When should DHF patients be hospitalized?
Basically, there is no cure for dengue fever. The reason is, this disease is caused by a virus dengue which until now the antidote has not been found. The treatment given to DHF patients is only to control the symptoms and condition of the patient until they recover.
Because of this, your doctor may allow you to do outpatient care at home. However, if you have serious dengue fever, the doctor will definitely ask you to be hospitalized. Remember, only a doctor can make this option after evaluating your condition and blood test results.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), hospitalization is necessary for people with serious dengue fever. The problem is, DHF patients will go through a critical period of 24 to 48 hours. This period will determine the patient's chances of survival. If at this time the patient is not treated properly, the consequences can be fatal.
Meanwhile, if a serious dengue fever patient is treated at home, he will not get adequate medical assistance. Assistance that is only available in hospitals includes intravenous fluids containing electrolytes, blood pressure monitoring, and blood transfusions if the patient is bleeding. In addition, doctors and nurses are always available at the hospital to monitor and help improve your condition.
Signs of serious dengue fever
Do not underestimate the various features of serious dengue fever. This disease can cause death if treated late or not treated properly. Therefore, DHF patients must be hospitalized when the disease is severe.
Seek emergency medical help immediately if the patient experiences the following signs of serious dengue fever.
- Severe stomach pain
- Constant vomiting
- Breath hunting
- Bleeding in the gums
- The body is very weak
- Vomiting blood
- Unstable body temperature (fever fluctuates)
What should be noted is that the patient wants to be outpatient
Again, only a doctor can determine if your condition is stable enough for an outpatient treatment. If the doctor has allowed the patient to be outpatient, you must maintain the balance of body fluids. Do not let the patient become dehydrated. The reason is, maintaining fluid intake in the body is very important to ensure that the condition of DHF patients remains stable.
You should also continue to monitor the patient's temperature with a thermometer. If her temperature starts to fluctuate, contact your doctor immediately. In addition, make sure the patient is consuming foods that are easy to digest.
In addition, do not force yourself to be outpatient at home if the situation is not possible. For example, no one can accompany and look after the patient throughout the day. Or the patient always refuses to drink and eat anything. It is better if patients with this condition are hospitalized so that the hospital can supervise and help patients recover more quickly.
Because in some cases DHF patients are better hospitalized, you should prepare yourself for this disease. You do this by taking steps to prevent dengue fever, going directly to the doctor if you experience symptoms, and completing self-protection against dengue fever.
