Sick With Dengue Fever

As of this moment, I’m beside my sick husband who has dengue fever and is currently admitted in a hospital.

Down with dengue fever

Last Sunday, he started having fever with temperature ranging from 38C to 40C the highest. Back then, we thought it was caused by strenuous activities since we had been walking for almost 4 straight days the past week in our recent trip to Hongkong and may be, he got too tired from playing basketball with his previous work mates in Metrobank last Saturday.

All we know was that he’s suffering from fever or “trangkaso” as what we, Filipinos, call this kind of sickness with high fever and excruciating muscle pain. Monday morning, he had his check-up and laboratory tests done were all negative with a platelet count of 208. Come Wednesday, another blood analysis was made and showed that he has  a virus and was advised to go back today for further tests.

Early this morning, his fever wore off but, still, enfeeble. He decided to submit himself to another round of laboratory tests so as to know what virus might have hit him. To our surprise, his platelet count dropped from 208 last Monday to 71. Bothered and alarmed, we rushed him to the hospital. Then, several tests were done again (blood chemistry, dengue test and ECG) and was confirmed positive with dengue fever.

According to Wikipedia, dengue fever, also known as breakbone fever, is an infectious tropical disease caused by the dengue virus. Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle and joint pains, and a characteristic skin rash that is similar to measles.

With the symptoms reiterated, my husband didn’t develop  rashes so the suspicion of a possible dengue fever was crossed out at the onset. But, it turned out that it was. I think it comes in phase, as how it happened to him. He had fever for four days then on the fifth day, his temperature was normal, then, his platelet count started dropping from 208 to 71 early this morning to 45 as of 6:00 PM today. Hoping and praying that this is the lowest it can go.

Since this is a virus, there’s no medicine or treatment that can cure his illness except for oral or intravenous rehydration. Lots of liquid (water, Gatorade, buco juice) and banana which is rich in potassium are recommended for him to recuperate fast. And, he was also instructed to abstain from dark colored food to easily monitor bleeding in his bowel. We were also advised that his gums may bleed and any form of bleeding has to be reported to the nurses on duty.

Signing waivers and consent forms of his hospital admission truly shook my nerves. But, strength has to be shown amidst the moment of weakness. And, here I am now, trying my best to be strong and staying awake, looking after him just to make sure that he will be fine.

I fervently pray that God will grant the desires of my heart and heal my dear husband the soonest for he has suffered a lot these past few days battling with dengue fever.