DENGUE

    The arrival of the rainy season heralds both blessings and challenges. For many, it signifies an abundance of food, as agricultural lands flourish with lush, vibrant vegetation. Farmers rejoice at the prospect of increased harvests, which often translate into greater financial stability. However, this season also brings a surge in various illnesses, particularly waterborne diseases. Common ailments such as the cold, fever, and flu often make an unwelcome appearance. More serious conditions, like diarrhea, typhoid fever, and leptospirosis, can emerge, primarily due to contaminated water sources. Yet, among these threats, dengue fever stands out as particularly dangerous and prevalent.

Understanding Dengue

Aedes aegypti mosquito

    Dengue is an acute infectious disease spread by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, commonly found in tropical regions like the Philippines. According to the Department of Health, Cebu City reported 546 cases of dengue between January and July of this year, resulting in six fatalities. Currently, there is no specific cure for dengue; prevention and control are our best defenses.

Diagnosis

    Most families are now familiar with the protocols for dea
ling with dengue. Doctors recommend that if a fever persists for more than three days, a Complete Blood Count (CBC) should be conducted to check platelet levels. If platelets are low, hospitalization is often necessary for further monitoring. Other symptoms must also be considered in the diagnosis.

Symptoms

Rashes as one of the symptoms for dengue

    Dengue typically presents as a fever lasting between two to seven days, accompanied by joint and muscle pain. Patients may experience pain behind the eyes, severe weakness, dizziness, and loss of appetite. Skin rashes or small red spots may develop, and as the fever subsides, nosebleeds and abdominal pain can occur, sometimes accompanied by coffee-colored vomit and dark stools.

Prevention

    With no known cure for dengue, prevention is essential. The Department of Health provides guidelines to help mitigate the risk of infection. Mosquitoes breed in clean, stagnant water, so it’s crucial to cover water drums and pails, replace water in flower vases weekly, and clean all water containers regularly to remove mosquito eggs. Rain gutters should be cleared of debris, which can create breeding grounds. Unused containers like tin cans, bottles, and tires should be properly disposed of to eliminate potential water sources.

 Natural Remedies for Dengue: Truth or Myth?

    While the rainy season may bring an array of waterborne diseases, it also blesses us with an abundance of plants, many of which hold medicinal properties. Traditional knowledge passed down through generations may offer insights into effective treatments, as dengue is not a new disease; its earliest recorded instances date back to the Jin Dynasty in China (265-420 A.D.), with epidemics noted in the 17th century and again after World War II in Southeast Asia.

A mangagaw plant

    Among the remedies, the Mangagaw plant (Euphorbia hirta), commonly found in backyards, are often cited. To prepare it, boil the roots or the entire plant, and allow the decoction to cool before administering it to the patient. Many people report that consuming this juice helps increase platelet counts and reduce fever. 

Flowers from male papaya

    This mangagaw remedy is sometimes combined with some stalks of fresh male papaya flowers. Boiled the combination of this two and the cool decoction will serve as a drinking water for the dengue plague patient.

Juice extracted from papaya leaves

    Papaya leaves (Carica papaya L.) have also gained attention as a potential remedy for dengue. Recent claims suggest that extracting juice from raw, cleaned papaya leaves can help elevate platelet levels. This remedy involves pounding the leaves, filtering the juice, and administering two tablespoons daily. Research has shown that papaya leaf extracts can enhance immune function.

Sweet potato leaves

        

    Another option is sweet potato leaves (Ipomoea batatas). Boiling the leaves for about five minutes and allowing the juice to cool can provide nutritional benefits that support the immune system, as the leaves are rich in vitamins and minerals.

The Power of Prayer

    Regardless of the effectiveness of these natural remedies, one of the most potent ways to combat dengue is through prayer. Trusting in a higher power can bring hope and healing. As stated in Mark 11:22-24, faith can move mountains, and through prayer, we can seek strength and protection.

    As we navigate the rainy season, let us embrace both the challenges and blessings it brings, fostering a spirit of resilience and hope.