SEPTEMBER, 2019 | The HEALTH
ISSUE: DENGUE
15
M
ODERN medicines have
made good progress over
the last few decades.
Technology advancement
has made major contribu-
tion to this fact. That
being said, research has been done towards
alternative treatment to further help the
general public. Th is involves the use of natural
ingredients such as plants and other food
items to help the patient fi ght off dengue
more eff ectively.
Carica papaya
One of the common traditional method
is through the usage of the Carica papaya
tree leaf extract. It is believed that the
juice extracted from the papaya leaf can
help increase the amount of blood platelet
count – which is much needed by dengue
fever patients. In April 2013, the fact was
confi rmed in a research.
In a study done by the Institute of Medical
Research (IMR), 228 patients were put into
the test. Half of the patients with dengue
fever (DF) and dengue haemorrhagic fever
(DHF) received the Carica Papaya leaf juice
(CPLJ) for three consecutive days while the
other half received treatment without the
juice.
Th eir full blood count was monitored for
48 hours in total and it showed that there was
a signifi cant increase in mean platelet count
observed in the intervention group. However,
the same could not be said for the other half.
Th e study concluded that CPLJ does increase
the platelet count in patients infected by DF
and DHF.
Muhammad Saifullah Hashim, 28 was
recently a victim of DF. We met up to ask
whether the papaya leaf juice really did have
an eff ect for him.
“I was advised by the nurse to drink the
papaya leaf extract when I was in the hospital.
According to the doctor, my platelet count was
below normal and it could aff ect the blood
ability to clot. After taking the CPLJ, there
was a signifi cant increase in my platelet blood
count,” he says.
Saifullah, however, advises to follow the
doctor’s instructions.
“Th e papaya juice helped, but I felt that my
recovery was mostly due to adhering to the
doctor’s advice. And of course, to have my wife
and mum to support me,” he smiles.
HAPPY GO LUCKY: Saifullah is now free from dengue, and
advises to always listen to the doctor while taking any type of
supplementary medicine.
Natural
supplements
for dengue
patients
Chicken soup or bean
soup can be equally
eff ective, as crabs do
not have any specifi c
antiviral eff ect.
Research shows that papaya leaf extract
plays a role in increasing DF and DHF
patients’ platelet count.
somewhat misguided as there are no further
research has been on the matter.
Sea crabs are rich in protein and essential
nutrients – which can help increase calorie
intake. However, there is no evidence it
has any added advantages to DF and DHF
patients.
If increased level of protein is the aim,
foods like poultry and legumes serve as better
alternatives. Th ey provide more protein con-
tent and in addition are cheaper and easier to
obtain in addition to minimising the risk of
allergic reaction.
According to experts, chicken soup or bean
soup can be equally eff ective, as crabs do not
have any specifi c antiviral eff ect. Crab soup
may help in gaining back some calories but it
is defi nitely not the best type of food to help
DF patients with their condition.
Trust in modern medicine
Th at being said, the aforementioned items are
not to be us ed to replace actual treatment. As
there is no actual cure for dengue, it is up to
us to manage our symptoms with prescribed
medicine, drink lots of water, and let our
immune system do its job. It is important
that dengue patients seek the doctor’s advice
and keep up with their medicines for a full
recovery. — Th e Health
Crab soup
Sea crab soup is another well-known food
among Malaysians that is said to help
with dengue fever. However, this belief is
A silhouette of hope in combating dengue
OUR country, being the tropical paradise it
is, is known for the rain, the heat, and the
humidity. Unfortunately, it makes Malaysia
one of the optimum breeding ground for
mosquitoes and other vectors. According
to the Urban Pest Control, there are about
434 species and subspecies of mosquitoes in
Malaysia.
The blight of dengue
Dengue fever is caused by a virus transmitted
by Aedes mosquitoes. Th ey are distinguished
by the black and white stripes on their abdo-
men. Th e mosquitoes are more attracted to
adults as they produce higher carbon dioxide
and lactic acid.
While the eff orts of eliminating the breed-
ing ground of mosquitoes are being carried
out through out the country, thermal fogging
is one of the most eff ective method of con-
trolling the population of Aedes mosquitoes.
Usually, when the report of dengue fever
occurs in an area, the vector control unit will
be called to fog the area.
Clearing the air
It is important to note that occasional
exposure to the fog does not harm humans.
In Malaysia, water-based thermal fogging is
commonly applied. Often time, we are afraid
of the stains that remain after the fumigation
process. Th is, however, should not be the case.
Using the chemical commonly found in
the commercially-used domestic mosquito
sprays, the compound is mixed with water
to create small water droplets in the form of
vapour using the fogging machine.
As opposed to the diesel-based thermal
fogging, water-based chemicals doesn’t leave
stains on targeted areas – making it the best
choice for indoor fumigation to avoid odours
and stain on skin, food and clothes. In addi-
tion, the concentration used is formulated
to not produce signifi cant and intoxicating
odour.
Additionally, the chemicals do not have a
long-term eff ect on people, yet a person may
be aff ected only after extended exposure. Th e
water particles that remain in the air are less
than 20 micrometres in diameter – which will
only aff ect something as small as mosquitoes.
Other than that, this is to allow the small
particles to go through small cracks to eradi-
cate their nests and breeding grounds that are
Dengue fever
is a fatal
disease that
is transmitted
by Aedes
mosquitoes.
The fumigation fog
can aff ect a person
only after an extended
exposure at a very
long period of time.
usually inaccessible to humans.
Fogging is an essential step to prevent
the spread of vector borne diseases. A rise in
dengue cases in a certain location means that
the area must be fumigated as fast as possible.
Th e aim is to exterminate the infectious Aedes
mosquitoes roaming across the State and
spreading the dengue virus. — Th e Health