Dengue fever may cause profuse bleeding and lead to death: doctors

Dengue fever may cause profuse bleeding and lead to death: doctors
Posted: 06 July 2007 2109 hrs

SINGAPORE: Of the three victims who have died from dengue fever this year, two have died from what is known as “dengue shock syndrome”.

The condition causes patients to bleed non-stop.

Three weeks ago, 46-year-old Henry Lim was on the brink of death. His nose and gums bled continuously.

“The bleeding did not really stop for two to three days. I was moving around with a piece of tissue right under my nose. You could see all the blood stains on my teeth, gums and lips,” said Mr Lim.

Mr Lim was sent to Alexandra Hospital where he was diagnosed as suffering from dengue fever.

His blood platelet count dropped rapidly, reaching dangerous levels.

Doctors say two to three out of 100 dengue patients will suffer from the same fate.

Said Dr Francis Lee, Head, Emergency Medicine, Alexandra Hospital, “When platelet numbers become very small, their bodies are unable to patch up areas of bleeding and spontaneous bleeding occurs. The gums are really soft… and there’s a tendency to bleed once you brush it.”

If the bleeding is severe, hospitalisation is necessary. But it all depends on the individual’s platelet count.

In Mr Lim’s case, he had to go to hospital everyday to have his platelet count checked.

Once the numbers stabilised, he was allowed to recuperate at home, for two weeks. - CNA/yy
 

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