Nine fresh dengue cases reported

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 28

Nine new cases of dengue have been reported, taking the tally in the city to 19 today. According to Dr Gaurav Aggarwal, nodal officer, malaria wing, UT Health Department, eight new cases, which had been tested by various private laboratories in the city, have been confirmed. According to PGI records, another patient was admitted to the institute here today.

The steady rise in the number of cases has scared city residents. The PGI emergency helpline has been flooded with calls to enquire about dengue. Many callers are confusing dengue with swine flu and have been asking about preventive tablets while others are eager to know about preventive vaccine, said an official. He said a number of queries were regarding how to differentiate between normal fever and dengue fever.

Symptoms of dengue fever

Symptoms of dengue only appear three to 14 days after the mosquito bite and not immediately. It does not spread from one person to another.

• Sudden high fever
• Skin rashes: In most patients, rashes appear as small dots anywhere on the body, especially when the fever subsides. Some patients complain of itching on palms and soles.
• Drop in platelet count is a characteristic symptom
• Severe frontal headache, pain behind the eyes
• Nausea and vomiting
• Fatigue
• Acute joint and muscle pain
• Low blood pressure