Thiruvananthapuram: The state health authorities have directed all hospitals and nursing homes to carryout proper test for confirming dengue and not to scare people by starting platelet treatment right at the beginning.
Union health ministry had issued a notification in this regard asking the state’s to implement the directive strictly. It came in the wake of reports that private hospitals and clinics were not sticking to the guidelines issued by National Vector Borne Disease Control Progamme.
Director Health Services, Dr R. Ramesh when contacted, said the health department had taken all steps to ensure the treatment protocol is adhered to in all hospitals across the state. “We are closely monitoring activities related to treatment, control and prevention of dengue in all our hospitals. The private hospitals also have to adhere to the protocol,” he said.
On allegations that certain hospitals were creating a scare by starting platelet treatment right at the outset of fever and that also without confirmatory tests like Elisa, he said, “We have asked hospitals to monitor patients whose platelet count is below 80,000. However, platelet is infused if the count goes below 10,000”, he said.
Doctors say there is currently intense fear associated with any fever. Dengue symptoms are very similar to viral fever and it appears with generalised aches and pains.
Dengue is usually associated with very high fever. But the symptoms may not be same in all patients. In some cases, fever and body pain may be mild and the patient might ignore such symptoms,” said Dr Jothydev Kesavadev.
But doctors are on the defensive because of the large number of deaths taking place. “Treating a fever is more of a challenge than treating a heart attack. In heart attacks the symptoms are classical and straight forward. But in fevers symptoms are atypical and misleading and a wrong diagnosis can lead to a fatal situation,” Dr Jothydev added.
He said platelet count can be normal especially during the first two to three days of fever. But it will start dropping only afterwards.
