A few days after the district health department sounded complacent over the lower incidence of dengue in the district as compared to last year, the dreaded vector-borne disease has started spreading its wings with four fresh suspected cases being reported from laksar. Consequently, fear is enveloping Haridwar city.  Jolted out of its complacency, the alarmed district health administration has intensified fogging in the villages. According to reports, 11 suspected dengue cases have surfaced in the district so far this season.

After two sisters from Ibrahimpur village of Haridwar had complained of fever the relatives brought them to the civil hospital.  Dengue was suspected. In the rapid test, they tested positive for dengue. The district Malaria officer Dr Gurnam Singh said, “We have sent blood samples of the sister duo for ElISA test. Two more cases of dengue have been reported from Roorkee earlier, raising the number of suspected cases to 11 till date in this season. With dengue spreading, the people are being made aware of how to mitigate the chances of being afflicted by the disease by keeping the surroundings clean. The rain water should not be allowed to accumulate at any place."

A city- based Ayurvedic practitioner Dr Vijay Verma says, “We have treated 79 dengue patients till date since 2013 by adopting integrated therapy combining Panchkarma and allopathic critical care. Allopathic treatment is only a supportive method of treatment in dengue cases. The Allopathic doctors say  that if the blood platelets count goes down to a certain level platelets need to be infused in the patient. But as per Ayurvedic treatment, using ‘Vasti Kriya’ and ‘Snehan’, a person can recover without platelets being infused in him.”

Stressing on the efficacy of herbal medicine made from cow’s milk, oil and honey, Dr Verma said that it starts showing results in ten minutes of its intake. “The internal bleeding stops and within 24 hours, the blood platelets’ count starts increasing,” he claimed.

Notably, the herbal medicine prepared by him has been sent along with complete protocol and database of 48 patients to the Ministry of Health Government of India under vector disease control programme and integrated medicine unit of AIIMS for clinical trials. AIIMS has accepted the protocol, he claimed.

Speaking to The Pioneer, Acharya Bal Krishna of Patanjali Yog Peeth said, “A lot of misconceptions prevails over the issue of dengue epidemic. It is not such a threat that cannot be encountered. There is a need to understand this and counter it in the right manner.”

The first thing is not to ignore even normal cold and cough during the rainy season and take seriously even mild fever, said the Ayurvedacharya. “The people should refrain from taking cold drinks and processed foods. As soon as the symptoms of the fever appear like fatigue, sweating, restlessness one should start taking remedial steps,” he added.

Abrupt onset of fever, severe joint and muscle pain, headache, nausea, fatigue and red rashes on skin are some of the symptoms which may be the early symptoms of the disease. As far as Ayurvedic treatment is concerned it is best to use Giloy decoction as herbal treatment in diseases like dengue and chikungunya, say the Ayurvedic experts. Dengueneil vati  is very effective as a precautionary measure, they add.

Herbal decoction: Take eight inches long and finger thick piece of Giloy herb. Crush it in pestle mortar and boil in water. When the water remains one fourth drink this potion twice a day. Mild body fever will vanish. If the germ or mosquito attack is severe, one may add Jwarnashak Kwath and boil it in water.  If the fresh Giloy herb is not available dry powder available in Ayurvedic stores is equally helpful. Presently it is recommended for use in parallel with the advice from a doctor.

Preventive care: Boil clove, black pepper and tulsi leaves in water. Keep it in a steel container and consume it daily.