Dengue fever can affect the cardiac functioning of the patient whose blood platelet falls below 45, 000 along with bleeding. Experts say, if the heart of such a patient is not given due attention, it may also prove fatal for the patient. The major complications that dengue can cause is the accumulation of fluid around the heart along with weakness of the heart muscle and leakage of the heart valve.
Talking to The Pioneer, Dr Harshwardhan, Cardiologist at Primus Hospital said: “The major complications that dengue can cause is the accumulation of fluid around the heart causes along with weakness of the heart muscle and leakage of the heart valve.”
The treating physician can detect these through an ECG and must take prompt action if abnormalities are found, he said. Till today, India is hit by Den 1, Den 2, Den 3 and Den 4 viruses. According to a test conducted by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences’ (AIIMS) Microbiology Department’s virology laboratory, an apex laboratory of the National Vector-Borne Disease Control Programme, two of the most virulent strains of Den 1 and Den4 — are spreading in Delhi this year.
According to experts, dengue is caused by four serotypes. While types 1 and 3 are mild as they cause dengue fever and fever without shock, type 2 and 4 lead to bleeding and a drop in platelet count and thus are considered deadly. So far, the deadly virus has infected more than 4,000 people and claimed 33 lives.