Common monsoon fevers
- Dengue — spread by mosquitoes; causes high fever, body aches and sometimes low platelets
- Leptospirosis — linked to exposure to contaminated water or soil, common after flooding and farm work
- Viral fevers and flu
- Typhoid and other water-borne infections
Because symptoms overlap, blood tests are often needed to find the cause.
Typical dengue symptoms
- Sudden high fever
- Severe headache and pain behind the eyes
- Muscle, joint and bone pain
- Nausea, vomiting
- Rash
Danger signs — go to hospital immediately
Warning signs often appear around the time the fever starts to come down, so do not relax too early:
- Severe abdominal pain or persistent vomiting
- Bleeding from gums or nose, blood in vomit or stools, or black stools
- Unusual drowsiness, restlessness or confusion
- Cold, clammy skin
- Breathing difficulty
- Very little or no urine
Care at home for mild fever
- Rest and drink plenty of fluids — water, oral rehydration, soups
- Use fever medicine only as advised by a doctor
- Avoid painkillers such as ibuprofen or aspirin unless a doctor approves — they can increase bleeding risk in dengue
- Get blood tests done as advised, including platelet counts
- Watch closely for danger signs
About platelets
A falling platelet count is common in dengue. Doctors decide on treatment based on the overall condition, not the number alone. Platelet transfusion is given only when medically needed. Smita Memorial Hospital's Blood Centre provides platelet concentrate transfusion 24×7.
Prevention
- Remove standing water around the home — in pots, tyres, coconut shells and drains
- Use mosquito nets and repellents
- Wear long sleeves during early morning and evening
- Wear boots and gloves when working in water or wet fields
- Drink boiled or safe water
Getting treated
The General Medicine Department at Smita Memorial Hospital treats infections and fever, supported by 24×7 diagnostics, a Medical ICU and 24×7 pharmacy. Children with fever are seen by the Paediatrics department.
Leptospirosis: a monsoon danger for farmers and flood-affected families
Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection spread through water or soil contaminated with the urine of infected animals, particularly rats. It is more common after heavy rain and flooding, and among people who work in wet fields or clean drains. Symptoms can include high fever, severe muscle pain especially in the calves, headache and red eyes. In some people it can affect the kidneys, liver and lungs.
- Wear boots and gloves when working in water or mud
- Cover cuts and wounds before contact with floodwater
- Seek medical care early for fever after exposure to floodwater or wet fields, and tell the doctor about the exposure
The phases of dengue
- Febrile phase — high fever, body aches and headache for the first few days
- Critical phase — as the fever falls, some people develop warning signs such as abdominal pain, vomiting or bleeding; close monitoring is most important now
- Recovery phase — appetite returns and blood counts improve
This is why doctors advise watching carefully and getting blood tests even when the fever starts to settle.
Fluids: how much and what kind
- Drink regularly throughout the day rather than large amounts at once
- Oral rehydration solution, coconut water, soups, rice water and juices can help
- Watch urine output — passing urine regularly is a good sign
- People with heart or kidney disease should follow their doctor's fluid advice
- Hospital admission for intravenous fluids is needed if a person cannot drink or has warning signs
Protecting the family and community
Mosquitoes that spread dengue breed in small collections of clean standing water around homes. A weekly check-and-clean routine — emptying water from containers, flower pots, coolers, discarded tyres and coconut shells — protects the whole neighbourhood. Encourage neighbours to do the same during the monsoon.
Specialists you can consult
Frequently asked questions
Does every dengue patient need platelets?
No. Most patients recover without platelet transfusion. Doctors decide based on the patient's overall condition and bleeding.
When is dengue dangerous?
When warning signs appear — severe abdominal pain, vomiting, bleeding, drowsiness or breathing difficulty — often as the fever settles.
Is the lab open at night for fever tests?
Yes. The laboratory at Smita Memorial Hospital operates 24×7.
Can I take painkillers for dengue fever?
Only those advised by a doctor. Some painkillers can increase bleeding risk.
Sources
- General Medicine, smitahospital.com
- Blood Centre & Laboratory, smitahospital.com
- Emergency Services, smitahospital.com
