The birth of a baby is a joyous occasion. However, it comes with it sown set of challenges. As parents cradle their little ones in their arms, their basic instinct is to shield them from every possible danger the world may bring. Unfortunately, not all dangers are easily visible. A newborn immunity is still developing, making them particularly vulnerable to infections and diseases. Among these potential threats, dengue fever poses a significant risk, especially during the monsoon season. Understanding how to protect new born from such hidden dangers is crucial for their health and well-being. This article sheds light on how to recognise the symptoms of dengue fever in a new born baby, along with standard protocols that need to be adopted when a diagnosis is confirmed.
Dengue fever is a potentially fatal viral infection. Cases usually start to rise during the monsoon season, when environmental conditions are conducive to the rampant breeding of the Aedes mosquito species, especially the Aedes Aegypti mosquito. Typically, these mosquitoes get infected when they bite a person suffering from dengue fever and then transmit the infection to other non-infected individuals. Both adults and infants can contract dengue fever.
However, the situation becomes especially distressing with newborns, as they cannot express themselves verbally when they start to feel un well, unlike adults, who can communicate and report their symptoms. This is why it is imperative to understand the typical dengue fever baby symptoms that parents and caregivers need to look out for when there is a chance of infection. Early detection is crucial, as recognising these signs can lead to prompt medical intervention, potentially preventing severe complications from this disease.
Recognising the signs of dengue fever in a newborn can be challenging, as illnesses in babies can have various causes. If you suspect dengue fever, a baby could display all or some of the symptoms below, which need to be monitored and reported to the paediatrician. The typical symptoms of dengue fever in newborns are:
Babies infected by the dengue virus will have a fever that can be quite high, as high as 104°F (40°C).
The infected new born will not feed as often as they typically would. The newborns may refuse to feed and may appear to be fussy.
Newborns with Dengue fever may have rashes across the body. These rashes usually look like small, slightly raised red spots that may appear on the face, hands, legs, abdomen, etc.
An infected new born may have loose stools. Also, the baby could vomit more than three times throughout the day. In such cases, the threat of dehydration setting in is quite high. Thus, it is crucial to seek immediate medical assistance when this occurs.
Parents or caregivers might notice blood spots on the baby's skin or bleeding from the gums or nose in severe cases. Again, it is imperative to seek immediate medical care if and when this happens so as to prevent severe health complications.
The baby may display respiratory distress. Rapid breathing, coughing, etc., must be monitored and reported to the healthcare provider.
Newborns with Dengue fever will appear restless and irritable. They will be very fussy and difficult to handle.
If any of the symptoms listed above are present in the new born, it is crucial to take the child to a healthcare professional who will conduct a series of tests to determine if the child has indeed contracted the dengue virus. Besides a physical examination, the physician may prescribe blood tests to confirm the virus's presence and, consequently, the infection's severity.
It must be noted that there is no cure for dengue fever. So, how to treat dengue in babies? Well, once the presence of the dengue virus is confirmed, the healthcare provider will recommend a set of measures that need to be adopted to safeguard the new born from complications. As this is a viral infection, antibiotics are usually not prescribed. Instead, parents and caregivers are advised to follow the following recommendations to ease the severity of the symptoms:
The old adage “Prevention is better than the cure” is highly applicable when it comes to warding off diseases like dengue fever. Dengue is primarily a mosquito-borne disease, so it is recommended that steps be taken to prevent mosquito bites. Some measures to prevent dengue in babies that ought to be adopted, especially during the monsoon season, are:
It can be quite distressing when your new born baby has been diagnosed with dengue fever. However, please do not panic. Remember, while it is a serious illness, most babies recover fully with proper care and medical attention. Ensure you follow the advice of your healthcare provider and constantly monitor your baby. Apart from physical care, your baby will require emotional support. So, hold your baby close, gently massage their limbs or sing soothing lullabies - anything to keep them calm and rested. Remember, your baby can sense your emotions, so try to remain as calm as possible. And don't forget to take care of yourself too. Your well-being is essential for supporting your baby through this time.
Yes, new born babies can also contract dengue fever after being bitten by infected mosquitoes.
There is no cure for combating dengue fever. Antibiotics are usually not prescribed, as this is a viral rather than bacterial infection. However, the symptoms of dengue can be managed. For instance, high fever can be controlled with medicines like paracetamol.
Babies must be constantly monitored for signs of illness, as they cannot communicate any discomfort that they may be experiencing. Dengue fever in infants can be difficult to recognise, but there are key indicators to watch for. The symptoms of dengue fever are high fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, nose or gum bleeds, rashes, fussiness, low appetite and fast breathing.
Yes, breastfed babies can get dengue. Studies have found the dengue virus present in breast milk. However, the chance of contracting Dengue through breastfeeding is believed to be negligible, as the primary carrier is still the Aedes mosquito species. Most experts agree that it is best to continue breastfeeding as the baby receives essential nutrients via breastmilk, ensuring its overall health and well-being.
