The cases of dengue fever are drastically rising across Pakistan. Being a healthcare professional working in intensive care unit, we are coming across many cases of dengue daily in our ICUs, and within a short time span leading to significant complications making survival difficult for the patients.
As of mid-November 2024, Pakistan has registered over 20,000 dengue cases and similarly this year in October and November, cases are increasing due to the recent monsoon season. Weather conditions always increase the chances of dengue. World health organization recommends covering stored water, using long sleeved clothes and bed nets, installing insect screens on doors and windows and avoiding stagnant water around homes.
Beyond prevention, patient recovery and management also requires attention, Dengue often come along with prolong fatigue and joint pain therefore physical therapy helps patients fight off dengue symptoms, be it for helping restore strength to promoting early mobility of the patients admitted in ICUs. Adding rehabilitation to the plan of dengue patients can promote early recovery.
My message to all citizens is to adopt protective measures. Whenever you experience a high-grade fever or body pain, seek medical help immediately. During the dengue recovery period, continue to take medical and rehabilitative care. Only by working together as proactive citizens can we eliminate the dengue threat from our country.
Nida Rizvi
Karachi
