Mosquito woes: Two more patients diagnosed with dengue

MINGORA:

If you’re in Swat and you’re feeling a bit fluey, you might want to head to the hospital and get tested for the dengue virus. The district has the highest count of dengue patients in the province, possibly the highest in the country.

Two more dengue cases identified in Swat on Sunday have taken the total count to 38 in the district. Saidu Teaching Hospital’s focal person Roshan Ali said the two patients came in from Skha Cheen, Amankot – an area badly hit by the virus.

“Presently, only one patient is admitted; the two newly diagnosed patients had a mild fever and went back home voluntarily,” said Ali. “Thirty-seven patients have been discharged so far.”

The sole dengue patient’s attendant expressed his satisfaction with the hospital’s service. “Even the diagnostic tests are conducted free of cost,” said Abdullah.

“When I was admitted (to Saidu Teaching Hospital), I was concerned about the fever but the hospital staff provided every facility at its dengue cell. I was discharged three days later,” Nawab Ali, who recently recovered from the infection, told The Express Tribune.

The symptoms usually start three to four days after infection (WebMD) and can include high fever, nausea, body ache and headaches. The more severe symptoms include nose or gum bleeds and easy bruising as well as skin rashes.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 28^th, 2014.