Parents reminded to rush kids to hospital at first sign of dengue

A health expert on Tuesday reminded parents to seek medical help immediately when their child starts showing dengue-like symptoms, especially on-and-off fever for more than two days.

Dr. Fatima Gimenez, Pediatric Infectious Disease Society of the Philippines (PIDSP) board member, said parents often bring their child to the hospital when their condition has already worsened.

"Being a clinician, anong nakikita ko from those who progress into those who have shock and later death? Late consult. The kids are brought to you at the time when they are already shocky," Gimenez said in a forum in Quezon City.

"What I'm seeing from all the children we have seen with dengue is they were brought to you late. Kaya anong gagawin natin? Anong kailangan nating gawin? Pag may sakit ang anak, pakonsulta na agad 'cause that could be life-saving," she added.

According to the Center for Disease Control, nearly half of all dengue infections manifest no symptoms or asymptomatic.

Common dengue fever (DF) symptoms include high fever for two or more days with two or more of the following symptoms: low platelet levels but not lower than 100,000, muscle or joint pain, rashes, and difficulty in breathing.

Philippine Society for Microbiology and Infectious Diseases President Dr. Mario Panaligan said dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) and dengue shock syndrome (DSS) or severe dengue have different symptoms from DF.

"Ang warning signs naman, ito yung mga nangangailangan ma-ospital, nagsusuka-suka na sila, masakit ang tiyan nila, tapos masakit pa ang ulo. May mga tao na nagkakaroon ng kabag, namamaga din 'yung atay," he said.

"These are warning signs na dapat ia-advise sila ng ospital, kasi kung di nila kayang uminom ng tubig, dapat naka-IV na sila," Panaligan added.

DHF and DSS are both potentially deadly and may also cause severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, bruising, and bleeding.

Gimenez said parents must take their children to the hospital to prevent their children's condition from worsening,

"Early seeking behavior is very important. 'Pag may sakit, dalhin na. Walang mawawala sa atin. And not all of them need to be hospitalized," she said.

Most individuals infected with dengue will receive oral rehydration solutions, paracetamol, and strict instructions to keep themselves hydrated as they manage and observe their symptoms at home.

Those who require hospitalization may avail of the dengue case rate package by Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) that will cover hospitalization and physician fees worth P8,000 to P16,000. —KBK, GMA News