A dengue survivor’s experience

Summary

The speaker shares their experience of contracting dengue in July 2023, describing it as sudden and severe, with symptoms like high fever, body aches, and weakness. Initially dismissing it, they eventually sought medical help after a blood test revealed a dangerously low platelet count of 20,000, leading to hospitalization. The speaker reflects on the tendency to take health for granted until a crisis hits, particularly in Singapore. They also discuss how climate change is exacerbating dengue transmission by accelerating the virus's spread through mosquitoes in warmer temperatures.

Takeaways

• 🚑 Dengue felt like a severe and sudden impact, similar to being hit by a bus or truck.
• 🌡️ The speaker suspected they had dengue in July 2023 due to unusually high fevers reaching 39-40°C.
• ⚠️ Despite rarely falling ill, the speaker’s wife urged them not to take the symptoms lightly, prompting them to see a doctor.
• 🩸 A blood test revealed a dangerously low platelet count, leading to hospitalization.
• 🏥 The doctor warned the speaker that with a platelet count of 20,000, they were at high risk for life-threatening bleeding.
• 💉 The speaker’s condition was severe, with symptoms including body aches, nausea, high fever, and extreme weakness.
• 🇸🇬 The speaker reflected on how, as a typical Singaporean, they often took health for granted until it became critical.
• 🌡️ Climate change is exacerbating dengue transmission by speeding up the virus lifecycle in mosquitoes.
• 🦟 The warmer climate allows the virus in a mosquito’s mid-gut to reach the salivary glands faster, increasing transmission rates.
• 🌍 Climate change, particularly rising temperatures, is a significant factor in the increased spread of dengue.

Q & A

What symptoms did the speaker experience that made them suspect they had dengue?

The speaker experienced high fevers, body aches, nausea, and extreme weakness, which led them to suspect they had dengue.

What was the speaker's initial approach to dealing with their symptoms?

The speaker initially planned to treat the symptoms lightly, taking paracetamol and resting, but their wife urged them to take it more seriously.

How was the speaker's dengue diagnosis confirmed?

The speaker's general practitioner suggested a blood test, which confirmed the diagnosis when the platelet count came back very low.

What was the speaker's platelet count, and why was it considered dangerous?

The speaker's platelet count was 20,000, which is extremely low. A count below 50,000 is considered life-threatening because it increases the risk of excessive bleeding.

What advice did the speaker's general practitioner give regarding physical injuries?

The general practitioner warned the speaker not to suffer any cuts or falls, as their low platelet count could cause profuse bleeding and potentially life-threatening consequences.

How did the speaker describe the feeling of being affected by dengue?

The speaker compared the dengue experience to being hit by a bus or truck, describing it as a mix of body aches, nausea, and high fever, leaving them feeling extremely weak.

How did the speaker's hospitalization impact their life?

The speaker expressed frustration at being hospitalized, calling it a 'huge bummer,' but acknowledged that it was necessary due to the severity of their condition.

What role does climate change play in the spread of dengue, according to the speaker?

The speaker explained that warmer temperatures caused by climate change accelerate the transmission of dengue by allowing the virus to spread more quickly inside the mosquito.

How does the dengue virus spread inside a mosquito?

The dengue virus infects the mosquito's mid-gut after it bites an infected person. The virus then travels to the mosquito's salivary gland, where it can be passed on to the next person the mosquito bites.

What is the speaker's reflection on how Singaporeans typically respond to health risks?

The speaker reflected that many Singaporeans tend to take things for granted, not fully realizing the severity of an illness like dengue until it seriously affects them.