Dengue Fever (DF) is a disease that requires strict medical monitoring during the recovery period.
Patients with DF experience three main phases: fever, critical, and recovery, before being declared cured.
Signs of Recovery from Dengue Fever
It’s important for patients and doctors to recognize when someone with dengue fever is recovering to ensure treatment is working and to avoid complications
1. Normal Body Temperature
The fever, initially reaching 40°C, will gradually decrease and stabilize at a range of 36.5-37.5°C. The drop in temperature shows that the immune system has successfully defeated the dengue virus, typically after the critical phase.
2. Increase in Platelets
The platelet count will gradually increase until it reaches normal. Normal platelet levels are 150,000−450,000 cells per microliter of blood. Doctors will perform regular blood tests to monitor this increase as a primary indicator of recovery.
3. Improved Appetite
After the critical phase, patients will show a significant increase in appetite. Symptoms of nausea and vomiting that were previously bothersome will begin to diminish. This condition is a positive sign that the body is recovering from the infection.
4. Increased Body Energy
Patients will feel more energetic and less lethargic than before. This increase in energy occurs as the intake of nutrients and fluids in the body improves.
5. Fading Skin Rash
The red rash that appears during the acute phase will gradually fade. This process usually occurs on the 7th day after infection. The fading of the rash indicates a reduction in the body’s inflammatory response to the virus.
6. Reduced Body Pain
The pain in joints and muscles, characteristic of DF, will gradually decrease. Patients will start to move more freely and engage in light activities.
7. Improved Organ Function
There is an improvement in the function of vital organs previously affected by the dengue virus infection. This can be monitored through laboratory tests showing normal organ function parameters.
8. Improvement in Diuretic Function
Urine production returns to normal as kidney function improves. This indicates that the body’s excretory system has recovered and the fluid balance in the body has improved.
9. Stable Hematocrit Levels
Blood tests show stable hematocrit levels, not fluctuating like during the critical phase. This stability indicates that plasma leakage has been resolved.
3 Phases of Recovery from Dengue Fever
The recovery process for Dengue Fever (DF) generally takes about 3–7 days from the onset of symptoms. Patients will go through three main phases during the healing process:
1. Fever Phase
This lasts for the first 1–3 days with characteristics of high fever reaching 40°C. During this phase, patients need sufficient fluid intake and regular body temperature monitoring.
2. Critical Phase
This happens from day 3 to day 7, with lower body temperature, but needs careful monitoring because of higher risk of problems. Routine platelet and hematocrit tests are very important during this phase.
3. Recovery Phase
This lasts for 48–72 hours after the critical phase. During this phase, clinical conditions gradually improve, shown by rising platelet counts and stabilized vital signs.
Need for Medical Check-Ups After Dengue Fever
Intensive medical monitoring is necessary during the DF recovery process to prevent serious complications. Some aspects that need monitoring include:
– Laboratory Parameters
- Platelet checks daily
- Hematocrit level monitoring
- Checking organ functions with blood tests
– Vital Signs
- Body temperature checks
- Blood pressure monitoring
- Evaluation of pulse and respiration rates
– Intake and Output
- Monitoring fluid intake
- Recording urine output
- Evaluation of appetite, nausea, and vomiting
Dengue Fever Prevention
After recovering from DF, it is crucial to implement preventive measures:
– Self-Protection
- Use mosquito nets while sleeping
- Apply mosquito repellent lotion
- Wear long-sleeved clothing
– Environmental Control
- Implement the 3M program (Drain, Cover, and Recycle)
- Remove standing water where mosquitoes breed
- Maintain cleanliness and air circulation at home
– Health Monitoring
- Get dengue vaccine
- Undergo regular health check-ups
- Maintain the immune system with balanced nutrition
- Consult a doctor if any suspicious symptoms arise
READ: Important Platelet Levels for Dengue Fever
Dengue Fever Testing Locations
Tirta Medical Centre (TMC) is a trusted place for DF testing, offering quality service in Indonesia.
With over 30 branches across Indonesia, TMC offers comprehensive laboratory services for the diagnosis and monitoring of DF.
TMC provides various DF tests at affordable prices:
- Complete hematological examination price: IDR 95,000
- Dengue NS1 Test (Rapid) price: IDR 245,000
- Anti-Dengue IgG Test price: IDR 741,000
- Anti-Dengue IgM Test price: IDR 703,000
- SGOT and SGPT Test price: IDR 100,000
Note: Prices are subject to change. Customers can contact us for updates on dengue fever testing costs or for online reservations here:
TMC’s Excellence in DF Testing Includes:
- Indonesia’s best laboratory
- Fast and accurate test results
- Experienced medical personnel
- Modern and comprehensive facilities
- Strategically located in major cities
Regular examinations are crucial to monitor disease progression and determine the severity of DF in patients.
With the comprehensive services offered, TMC is the top choice for the Indonesian community for DF testing and monitoring.
References:
- Ministry of Health. Accessed in 2024. Dengue Fever Still Lurking: https://kemkes.go.id/app_asset/file_content_download/171799677966668cebe32e93.49845686.pdf
- E-Journal ‘Aisyiyah Palembang College of Health Sciences. Accessed in 2024. Analysis of Determinants Related to the Incidence of Dengue Fever in the Health Office Work Area: https://jurnal.stikes-aisyiyah-palembang.ac.id/index.php/JAM/article/download/998/726
- My Health Sehat Negeriku Ministry of Health. Accessed in 2024. Be Careful for Seven Days: https://sehatnegeriku.kemkes.go.id/baca/blog/20240605/5245682/waspada-selama-tujuh-hari/
- Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology. Accessed in 2024. On the Computational Bayesian Survival Spatial Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) Modelling with Fernandez-Steel Skew Normal Conditional Autoregressive (FSSN CAR) Frailty: https://scholar.its.ac.id/en/publications/on-the-computational-bayesian-survival-spatial-dengue-hemorrhagic-2
- Redcliffe labs. Accessed in 2024. How Long Does it Take to Recover from Dengue NS1?: https://redcliffelabs.com/myhealth/health/how-long-does-it-take-to-recover-from-dengue-ns1/
- HealthXchange.sg. Accessed in 2024. Dengue Fever: How to Recover Fast: https://www.healthxchange.sg/women/health-scares-outbreaks/dengue-fever-how-to-recover-fast
- MedPark Hospital. Dengue fever – Causes, Symptoms, treatments, how long does it last?: https://www.medparkhospital.com/en-US/disease-and-treatment/dengue-fever