100 Grapevine Hwy Hurst TX 76054

Dengue Fever Treatment in Hurst, TX

Dengue Treatment in Hurst, TX

Are you experiencing a sudden high fever, severe headache, joint pain, and nausea? Did you just return from a trip to the tropics? It could be dengue fever, an illness transmitted via mosquito bite.

Dengue fever symptoms are similar to those of many other illnesses, such as malaria, flu , hepatitis, or foodborne illness. It’s important to seek immediate medical care if you’ve recently traveled to the tropics and you’re showing flulike symptoms, because dengue can be fatal if left untreated.

An estimated 390 million people worldwide get dengue fever each year, and about 96 million of these infections result in illness. To speak with a dengue fever specialist today in Hurst, call (817) 203-2760 or contact The New You Medical & Infusion Clinic online.

What Are the Symptoms of Dengue Fever?

Each type of dengue virus presents similar symptoms that mimic those of many other diseases, especially viral infections like hepatitis, meningitis, and the malaria disease. Symptoms of dengue fever usually appear within three to seven days of getting infected and include:

  • severe joint and muscle pain (why dengue is called “breakbone fever”)
  • sudden high fever
  • severe headaches, especially behind your eyes
  • fatigue
  • nausea and vomiting
  • skin rash
  • nosebleeds or bleeding gums (rarely)

It’s important to note that symptoms vary from person to person. Some people may have mild or no symptoms, while others will have severe or even life-threatening symptoms.

Complications can arise from dengue fever. This includes dengue hemorrhagic fever, a rare condition characterized by damage to lymph nodes and blood vessels, bleeding from the nose and gums, liver enlargement, and circulatory system failure.

When a dengue patient’s fever reduces, symptoms can sometimes worsen, which is a sign of dengue shock syndrome (DSS). Symptoms may progress to catastrophic shock, bleeding, and even death. If your symptoms worsen within 24 hours of your fever reducing, seek emergency medical attention right away, as dengue shock syndrome can be fatal.

What Causes Dengue Fever?

Dengue is spread by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, the same mosquitoes responsible for spreading malaria, yellow fever, and other tropical diseases.

When these mosquitos feed on the blood of a person infected with dengue, it becomes a carrier. Dengue fever is caused by four different viruses, numbered 1-4. The virus incubates for 8-12 days, and then it can be passed to another human victim through a bite.

Regions of the globe threatened by dengue mosquitoes include:

  • India
  • Mexico
  • Africa
  • Central and South America (except Chile, Paraguay, and Argentina)
  • Southeast Asia
  • Southern China
  • Indonesia
  • Pacific Islands
  • Caribbean (except Cuba and the Cayman Islands)

When an infected mosquito feeds on human blood, it passes the virus to that person. Most cases in the U.S. occur in travelers who visit destinations where dengue is endemic. Extremely rarely, dengue mosquitoes are found in far southern Texas and in Key West, Florida.

Person-to-person transmission is virtually impossible, but transmission from pregnant mother to fetus or blood transfusion is extremely rare. People with weakened immune systems and those who’ve had dengue fever before are believed to be at greater risk for developing hemorrhagic fever and DSS.

How Is Dengue Fever Diagnosed?

If you’re showing symptoms, it’s vital to get medical attention so your medical provider can diagnose or rule out dengue fever or another dangerous illness. Your medical provider will take a blood sample and examine it under a microscope for the presence of dengue virus or its antibodies. It’s very important to tell your medical provider if you’ve traveled to the tropics recently, as this can narrow down a dengue fever diagnosis.

How Is Dengue Fever Treated?

Palliative care, like taking non-aspirin pain medication with acetaminophen and getting plenty of rest and fluids, is the best way of managing dengue. Aspirin-based medications must be avoided because they can worsen bleeding.

If your fever goes down and you start feeling worse, don’t wait—get emergency medical attention right away, as these can be a sign of dengue shock syndrome, a potentially deadly complication of dengue fever.

Natural oral treatments include:

  • Gilroy herb: the stems can strengthen your immune system
  • papaya leaves: the leaves can increase your platelet count to reduce your fever
  • fenugreek leaves: the leaves can reduce fever and help you sleep
  • goldenseal herb: this can clear up your symptoms and eliminate the virus
  • turmeric: can boost your metabolism and increase the healing process; can be consumed with milk
  • eupatorium perfoliatum: treats joint pains and a high fever
  • gelsemium: treats weakness and dizziness
  • ipecac and arsenic album: these treat nausea and vomiting

As with any treatment, results will vary from patient to patient, depending on age, genetics, condition severity, as well as environmental and health factors. Consult your healthcare practitioner before undergoing any treatment or treatment plan.

How Can I Prevent Dengue Fever?

Currently, there’s no dengue fever vaccine widely available to the public. Recent scientific trials testing experimental dengue vaccines show good efficacy for people who’ve been infected before, but less efficacy for people who’ve never been infected. Studies into a universal dengue vaccine are ongoing.

The best dengue fever prevention method is to avoid mosquito bites. If you’re traveling to an area known for dengue, you can protect yourself from dengue-carrying mosquitoes by:

  • using bug spray with at least 20-30% DEET on your skin and clothing
  • covering your skin as much as possible
  • avoiding going outside in the morning and at dusk, when mosquitoes are most active
  • making sure your windows have tightly-fitting screens with no holes, or using a good quality mosquito net if you’re camping or sleeping outside
  • avoiding swampy or wooded areas, especially early in the morning and at dusk

Natural mosquito repellants include:

  • lemon eucalyptus oil
  • cinnamon oil
  • catnip
  • lavender
  • garlic
  • lemongrass
  • basil
  • peppermint
  • rosemary

Reserve Your Appointment Now

Visiting exotic tropical locations is exciting and memorable, but dangers like dengue exist alongside the natural beauty. If you’re traveling to the tropics, protect yourself from dengue by taking preventative measures. If you’ve recently returned from the tropics and are showing flulike symptoms, don’t wait—contact your medical provider right away to diagnose or rule out dengue fever.

To begin dengue fever treatment today in Hurst, call (817) 203-2760 or contact The New You Medical & Infusion Clinic online.

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Hours and Directions
The New You Medical & Infusion Clinic
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Address

100 Grapevine Hwy
Hurst, TX 76054
(817) 203-2760
https://www.newyoumedclinic.com/

Hours

Mon: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Tue: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Wed: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Thu: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Fri: Closed
Sat: Closed
Sun: Closed

Areas We Service:

Tarrant County, TX, DFW, TX, Las Colinas, TX, Carrollton, TX, Dallas, TX, Irving, TX, Richardson, TX, Sunnyvale, TX, Frisco, TX, Roanoke, TX, Weatherford, TX, Arlington, TX, Bedford, TX, Colleyville, TX, Euless, TX, Fort Worth, TX, Grapevine, TX, Haltom City, TX, Keller, TX, North Richland Hills, TX, Southlake, TX, Watauga, TX