How Long Does it Take to Recover from Dengue NS1?

With monsoon season nearing, the threat of a disease also nears India. You guessed it right.

The mosquito-borne disease, Dengue, is at its peak during the monsoons. This disease is spreading at an alarming rate worldwide, with 4 billion people at risk of infection.

It is important to understand this disease, how it spreads, who it affects, and how to prevent it. If you are concerned about Dengue too and want to know more about this topic, then keep reading on as we unfold all the information that you need to know about this disease.

Who Does Dengue Fever Affect?

Dengue fever is one of the fastest mosquito-borne viral diseases, infecting over 100 million people worldwide every year.

Although dengue fever may affect people of all age groups and regions, there is a greater risk of infection if you live near the tropical or subtropical regions. 

People who have had a previous dengue infection are also at a higher risk of contracting the disease again. 

What Causes Dengue Fever?

Dengue fever is caused by four different but closely related serotypes of the dengue virus. This virus is carried and transmitted by infected female mosquitoes, particularly of the Aedes aegypti species. 

The infected mosquito bites the host (humans), transmitting the virus into their bodies. The disease is non-contagious but further spreads when a non-infected mosquito bites an infected person. 

The mosquito gets infected and becomes a vector for the disease, transmitting it to other humans.

A person who has previously contracted dengue virus can still be susceptible to the disease. And subsequent infections may increase the severity of the infection.

However, the person becomes immune to the particular serotype of the virus contracted previously, and can only get infected through other serotypes.

What are the Symptoms of Dengue?

Generally, dengue infection does not exhibit any symptoms in most people. However, if they occur, the symptoms may last 3-7 days, sometimes severe, and may lead to death in extreme cases. Here are some common symptoms of dengue:

• Severe stomach pain
• High fever (up to 104℉)
• Headache
• Pain behind the eyes
• Frequent vomiting
• Rashes
• Swollen glands

If you experience any of these symptoms after a mosquito bite or otherwise, you should preferably seek medical attention. These symptoms may also indicate a disease other than dengue, such as typhoid fever, Malaria, etc.

Learn More: Dengue fever and its symptoms

How Long Does it Take to Recover from Dengue?

The recovery time for dengue fever depends on the present symptoms and their severity. The recovery may take from 3 to 12 days of time, which increases with the severity of the symptoms. No particular treatment is available, hence, certain dietary, lifestyle, and health practices are adopted for recovery.

Tips to recover from dengue quickly

Here are some effective tips to help you recover from a dengue infection and fight off the virus by strengthening your immune system:

Proper Hydration

Staying hydrated and drinking plenty of fluids like coconut water, fruit juices, and other nutritious drinks is important. You should avoid drinks that contain caffeine and unhealthy amounts of artificial sweeteners as they may lead to dehydration.

Treating and minimizing symptoms

Dengue virus lacks a specific cure and hence its treatment depends mostly on treating the symptoms and eliminating the virus from the body using antibiotics. You should take paracetamol to treat high fever temperatures and other medications for stomach pain, nausea, etc.

Avoid Painkillers

Medications like Ibuprofen, Aspirin, and diclofenac should be avoided. These painkillers may result in various complications including internal bleeding in the stomach or intestines. They may also lead to heart complications as they are blood thinners.

Papaya Leaves

Papaya leaves can be quite beneficial during Dengue. Dengue infections often result in severely low blood platelet counts. Since ancient times, consuming papaya leaves has been believed to increase platelet count and reduce dengue symptoms. Consuming the juice of papaya leaves can help you recover from dengue quickly.

Few Prevention Tips for Dengue

Since there is no cure and specific treatment for dengue infection, it is important to take necessary prevention measures to minimize your chances of contracting the virus. Here are some tips to prevent dengue infection:

Use Mosquito Repellent

Using mosquito repellents can help you prevent contact with mosquitoes, the main vectors of this disease. You should apply mosquito repellent creams or wipes to exposed skin and other areas of the body susceptible to mosquito bites. Using repellent incense and coil is also a good way to keep mosquitoes away.

Wear Protective Clothing

Be sure to wear full-sleeved clothing whenever going outside to crowded places or areas susceptible to mosquito infestation. Preventing yourself from mosquito bites is the primary thing you need to do in order to prevent dengue infection. Protective clothing helps you to fend off mosquito bites. 

Eat immunity boosting diet

Some foods can help build and strengthen your immune system which helps you fight off diseases and infections such as the dengue virus. Foods rich in nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and other micronutrients can help you build this. Citrus fruits are rich in vitamin C, known for boosting immunity. Similarly, iron, zinc, and selenium-rich foods like spinach, broccoli, and legumes are also beneficial for you.

Do not let water stagnate in your surroundings

Stagnant water is the perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes. Take a careful look at your surroundings and empty any stagnant water bowls or buckets, fill potholes, and refrain from using water-filled plant pots. Stopping the breeding of mosquitoes in your surroundings reduces the risk of mosquito bites that lead to dengue fever.

Dengue vaccine

Another way to prevent dengue infection is taking a dengue vaccine, Dengvaxia. This vaccine is only administered to people who have previously contracted a variant of the dengue virus. It is a proven and tested vaccine for people between the ages of 9 and 60 years. 

Diagnosis of Dengue Virus

Dengue infection can be hard to diagnose as it is often confused with other vector-borne diseases like Chikungunya, Malaria, and Zika virus. 

Your healthcare may inquire about your travel history and proximity to mosquitoes. It is important to provide all necessary information for proper assessment. 

A few blood tests are also used for the diagnosis of dengue virus, here are some of the common blood tests:

NS1 Antigen Test 

An NS1 Antigen test is used to determine the presence of Non-Structural Protein 1 (NS1) of the Dengue Virus. It diagnoses the virus infection at its active stages. A positive NS1 result indicates the presence of the dengue virus, while a negative result means either the virus is absent or not active anymore. 

IgM and IgG antibodies Test

This test is used to measure the levels of Immunoglobulin antibodies in the body. These antibodies are generally produced about 7-14 days after an infection and may last in the body for months or even a year. A positive IgG and IgM test may indicate a recent presence of dengue virus in the body, which may still be active. This test is usually performed along with the NS1 Antigen test to ascertain if there is an active infection or not.

RNA PCR Test

The Dengue RNA PCR test is used to detect the presence of the genetic RNA of the Dengue Virus in the body. This test can ascertain the specific serotype of the virus and also distinguish it from other similar viral infections like Chikungunya, Zika, and Malaria. It may help in the early detection of the infection.

Learn More: Blood Test For Dengue - Everything You Need To Know

The Key Takeaway

Dengue is a dangerous viral infection transmitted by mosquitoes to humans. It is increasing at an alarming rate worldwide, particularly in the tropical and subtropical regions around the world, including India. 

It is important to adopt measures to prevent contact with mosquitoes and control their population by eliminating possible breeding grounds.

Another crucial step is to take regular health checkups and tests to identify and take care of any possible infection in its early stages. So, if you have been exposed to mosquitoes or feel any symptoms related to dengue, you should Book a Dengue Fever Panel at Redcliffe Labs today. We offer an on-time guarantee and 100% report correctness and are trusted by millions. So, do not wait, just choose Redcliffe Labs- “Healthy India ki trusted lab”.