As dengue cases continue to rise in the national capital, many people with the viral infection are showing symptoms that are similar to those of COVID-19. This creates a lot of confusion among patients as well as doctors regarding accurate diagnosis.
With the onset of monsoon, the cases of vector-borne disease are increasing at an unprecedented rate. Mosquitoes that carry this disease find favorable conditions for breeding in stagnant water in residential areas. Therefore, cases are usually higher between July and November, sometimes even in December.
What are the overlapping symptoms of COVID and Dengue?
Symptoms of dengue include high fever, headache, rash, and muscle and joint pain, which bear significant similarities to COVID-19 infection. COVID-19 symptoms include fever, chills, muscle or body aches, fatigue, and headache. In such cases, it becomes difficult for the doctors to ascertain whether the person is COVID positive or not.
“The cases of covid are decreasing now, but the virus is still there. I am still seeing covid cases in my OPD. In the last 3-4 days, two cases were detected in OPD and later in ICU However, on an average, dengue infections are still on the rise,” said Dr Suranjit Chatterjee, a senior consultant at Apollo Hospitals.
“When it comes to both dengue and COVID, there are some overlapping symptoms, such as fever, body aches and headache, and the diagnosis in such cases may not be black and white. Both dengue tests are prescribing. Exact infection. In fact, in some cases, tests for malaria and typhoid are also being done,” Dr Suranjit Chatterjee said.
How to know if it is COVID or Dengue?
There is a catch for doctors among the symptoms reported by patients. Dr. Suranjit Chatterjee says that if a person is having more sore throat and cough without high fever, then there is a possibility that he has contracted the COVID-19 virus.
In cases where doctors can differentiate based on symptoms, they do not prescribe dengue tests for the patient.
In the last few days, doctors in government and private hospitals have seen a rise in the number of dengue patients in OPDs. According to doctors, most of them have complaints of fever, cough, sore throat and body ache or headache sometimes both.
The national capital’s largest hospital, Lok Nayak Jai Prakash (LNJP) Hospital, which is also the city’s main COVID-19 facility, is also reporting dengue cases. Most patients are admitted after their platelets levels drop below the normal range.
Dengue fever can cause a drop in the white blood cells and platelet count. In a healthy person’s body, the platelet count generally ranges between 1.5 to 4 lakhs. However, in case of dengue patients, this number can be as low as 20,000 to 40,000.
“Yes, rising dengue cases are now making diagnosis difficult. Earlier, we used to analyze the symptoms and if they had fever or other similar symptoms, then the COVID test would be prescribed. Now not only the patient but also the doctor will be able to diagnose the exact disease. The reasons are confusing. Overlapping symptoms,” a senior doctor at the hospital told PTI.
According to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) data, about 520 cases of dengue have been reported in Delhi. Delhi until 21 September. Out of these 520 cases, 281 have been reported in September itself. Along with this, cases of other diseases also increased. The city recorded 106 cases of malaria and 20 cases of chikungunya during the same period. One of the possible reasons for the spike in these cases is the incessant rains in the city.
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