Dengue Fever

For any of you who live in the tropics or have travelled there you may have encountered Dengue Fever. Also known as "Break-bone Fever", if you've had it you will probably always remember it. It is one of the more common tropical diseases and can be effectively treated with homeopathy. It can reach epidemic proportions and has a similar distribution as Malaria. It also is spread by infection from the bite of a mosquito.

     Dengue is a Spanish word meaning prudery. This name is applicable to this disease because of the fact that in Dengue Fever there is stiffness of the neck and shoulders, portraying the look of one with a reserved state and excess strictness of manners. The physical restriction of movement creates a posture that one could assume was of a prude.  It also produces high fever, severe pains in the bones and joints accompanied with swelling and in some cases hemorrhages with bleeding under the skin, from the gums, nosebleed or internal bleeding. Symptoms can be very severe but fatalities are rare and convalescence can be prolonged.

      The period of incubation is from 3 to 14 days before the onset of first symptoms. The attack comes on suddenly with chills and a fever that can often rise to 106 degrees F. Symptoms include frontal headache, severe muscle and back bone pain, weakness and a sensation of tastelessness, dry tongue and constipation. Many have nausea, vomiting and rash that can appear 3 to 5 days after the fever and spread to the torso, arms legs and face. The fever usually runs from 102 to 105 degrees F. and lasts for three to five days after which recovery is usually complete. Sometimes though symptoms can be tenacious and recovery can take months, especially if there have been more than one infection in the individual.

        Homeopathy can help and the genus epidemicus remedy is usually Eupatorium Perfoliatum (Bone Set) because many suffers experience such agonizing bone pains. Ipecac can also be useful when there is hemorrhage.

         Remedies to consider also are;

Arsenicum Album - Great debility and restlessness with great thirst but drinks only a little at a time and  often.

Baptisia - When there is great malaise and languor, but the person feels as if their body is double and they must try to collect themselves in the bed. It is very useful in the recovery phase also when there is great weakness.

Bryonia - When the person does not want to move and any movement aggravates. Joints can be hot and swollen and better from pressure.

Gelsemium - Feels sore and bruised all over and the muscles refuse to obey the will. Thirstlessness and chilly.

Pyrogeneum - Chill follower by fever that is very high. Great delirium and abnormally slow pulse.

Rhus Toxicodendron - Whole body painful. Puffiness of the joints, better for movement. The rash can sometimes be cured with Rhus Tox.

Eupatorium Perfoliatum - Great soreness and aching of the body with deep aching pains in the bones. The muscles can sometimes feel as if torn from the bone.

Other remedies to consider are Ipecac, Lachesis, Hamamelis, Crotalus Horridus, Ferrum Metallicum, and Secale when bleeding is present. China Officianalis and Baptisia may help when recovery is slow and accompanied by great weakness.

As with most acute prescribing the 30c and 200c potencies are usually the best to start out with. Repetition may be needed often depending on the duration of the response.

Always consider Dengue Fever in the differential diagnosis of any person who has fever and a history of travel to a tropical area within the last 2 weeks prior to the onset of symptoms. Clinical tests are available but must be interpreted with care. Acetaminophen products are usually prescribed for the management of fever. Aspirin should be avoided because of it's anti-coagulant properties and the possibility of hemorrhage.

     In the end nothing can treat Dengue Fever like homeopathy. Always take the case and prescribe the best remedy for the person. As always the prescription will be for the whole person and not just their physical symptoms only.