Why do dengue patients need electrolytes?

Until now, dengue hemorrhagic fever, aka Dengue, still haunts Indonesian people. It is estimated that every day, there are 2 people who lose their lives due to this disease. For this reason, DHF patients need to get proper care, one of which is increasing electrolyte fluids.

Electrolyte fluid contains not only water, but also sodium, potassium, chlorine, magnesium, calcium, and other minerals. This drink is generally often drunk after exercising. Actually, why do dengue fever patients need this much fluid? Come on, find out the answer in the following review.

The reason DHF patients need electrolyte fluids

Dengue fever or disease dengue hemorrhage fever caused by the Den-1, Den-2, Den-3, and Den-4 viruses which are transmitted through mosquito bites Aedes aegypti or Aedes albopictus . This disease causes symptoms of a sudden high fever of more than 39 degrees Celsius, headache or pain in the back of the eye, and a reddish rash on the skin.

Patients infected with the virus may experience mild symptoms that can be relieved by outpatient treatment. However, there are also those who experience severe symptoms so they need hospitalization. Well, the main key to handling this disease is increasing fluid intake, one of which is electrolyte fluids.

Electrolyte fluids can help the body to accelerate metabolism, balance water levels, ensure body organs work normally, and carry nutrients into cells. Including relieving the condition of dengue patients.

When the virus enters the body, the immune system will automatically eliminate the virus from the body by producing antibodies. Unfortunately, in dengue fever, the immune system is unable to fight the virus. In fact, the immune system has activated endothelial cells, namely the single layer that encloses blood vessels.

“Initially, the gaps in the endothelial cells were very small. But the more often it is activated by the immune system, the bigger the gap will be. As a result, blood plasma which consists of 91% water, glucose, and other nutrients can get out of the blood vessels, ”explained Dr. dr. Leonard Nainggolan, Sp.PD-KPTI, a specialist in internal medicine from Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital (RSCM), Central Jakarta.

When met by the Hello Sehat team at the Gatot Subroto Army Hospital, Senen, Central Jakarta, on Thursday (29/11), dr. Leonard explained that the leakage of plasma due to dengue fever can cause blood flow to be slower. If not treated immediately, the cells in the body do not get enough oxygen and nutrients so that the body's functions can be disturbed. In fact, it can cause death if the condition gets worse.

So, body fluids lost due to plasma leakage must be replaced immediately with fluids whose components are almost the same as blood plasma, for example electrolyte fluids. A study shows that DHF patients who get more electrolyte fluids have a lower risk of hospitalization. That means, patients are likely to avoid more severe conditions.

Is it only electrolytes that DHF patients can drink?

Fluid that is almost the same component as blood plasma is not just electrolyte fluid. Patients can get the same benefits with electrolyte drinks from milk, sugary drinks, rice washing water, ORS, and fruit juices.

Most importantly, don't let the patient only get fluids from plain water. Water contains very few minerals compared to electrolyte fluids or other recommended drinks, so it will not adequately replace lost blood plasma.