Multiple organ failure, death due to dengue fever

On August 9, a representative of the Hai Phong Department of Health said the patient died at home, the first death from dengue fever this year in the area.

Le Chan District Medical Center conducted an epidemiological investigation of the patient and surrounding households, carried out measures to prevent the disease, clean the environment, eliminate mosquito larvae nests and spray chemicals to kill mosquitoes in residential areas.

The patient is a 45-year-old teacher who has been taking care of her mother who was being treated for dengue fever in Hanoi since June 18. Four days later, she was also diagnosed with dengue fever and treated at the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases.

Doctors treated the patient intensively, put him on a ventilator, dialysis, and intravenous fluids, but his condition did not improve, and his pneumonia worsened. The family asked to take him home, and he died on August 8.

Currently, the patient’s husband and two children do not have dengue fever, and the mother’s health is stable. No one in the households near the patient’s house has the disease.

Dengue fever is an infectious disease caused by the Dengue virus. The disease is characterized by fever, bleeding and plasma leakage, which can lead to blood clotting disorders and organ failure. If not diagnosed early and treated promptly, it can easily lead to death.

Dengue fever has diverse clinical manifestations, progressing rapidly from mild to severe. The disease often starts suddenly and progresses through three stages: fever, danger and recovery. Early detection of the disease and understanding the clinical problems in each stage helps doctors treat correctly and promptly, in order to save the patient's life.

Doctors recommend that when you have a sudden, persistent high fever and a headache, you should go to a medical facility for examination and avoid taking medication or IV fluids at home on your own. You can take paracetamol to reduce fever and relieve pain. Absolutely do not take aspirin or ibuprofen because these two drugs can increase the risk of bleeding.

The Aedes Egypt mosquito is the main source of disease transmission, so it is necessary to treat dark, damp areas and stagnant water environments to prevent mosquito breeding and spray insecticide.

The Ministry of Health has recorded about 42,000 cases of dengue fever and 5 deaths nationwide since the beginning of the year. Compared to the same period in 2023, the number of cases decreased by 1.2 times and the number of deaths decreased by 6 cases. However, the Ministry of Health recommends that people not be subjective because the epidemic is entering its peak period.