• 1342 people sought treatment in five days

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Increase in the number of dengue fever patients in the state. During five days (from the 12th to yesterday), 1342 people came to government hospitals with dengue fever symptoms. 337 people have been diagnosed and others are undergoing treatment and awaiting results. Out of this, an average of 15 people reach medical colleges in critical condition. With this, there is a shortage of ICU, ventilator systems, and platelets in blood banks.

People whose blood platelet count falls below 40000 should be admitted to a ventilator immediately. Due to overcrowding of patients, ventilators are available for patients with a platelet count of less than 30,000 only. Doctors prescribe it as one bag (one unit) of 10 kg body weight. If asked for five units, one will get two or three units from the blood bank and this will not have much effect. As the monsoon gets stronger, the number of dengue patients will also increase.

Special Ward and ICU

A high-level meeting presided over by Minister Veena George decided to open special wards and ICUs in all medical colleges to save the lives of critically ill patients. Extreme caution should be taken against dengue fever and rat fever. The Minister directed to ensure that the fever clinics in the hospitals are functioning effectively. All hospitals including medical colleges should ensure the availability of medicine, safety equipment and test kits.

Precaution

• Dengue fever can spread from inside the house as well as outside.
• Dengue mosquitoes can breed in plant pots, money plants and fridge trays.
• Do not allow water to stagnate inside and outside the house.
• Water kept in containers should be covered.
• Agricultural shops and construction sites should not be a source of mosquitoes.

Symptoms

• Severe fever
• Severe headache
• Pain behind the eyes
• Pain in muscles and joints
• Red bumps on chest, face and skin
• Nausea and vomiting