Dengue causing blood pressure, heart rate changes

As cases of dengue fever rise in the country, some doctors say that the dominant strain of dengue virus is also causing autonomic disturbances like slow heart rate and fluctuation in blood pressure.

"Recently, we have also seen an usual case of myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle)," said Anoop Misra, chairman, Fortis-C-DOC Centre of Excellence for Diabetes, Metabolic Diseases and Endocrinology.

In India, dengue infection is spreading rapidly in Delhi, West Bengal, Maharashtra and Jharkhand.

Mumbai has reported a significant upsurge in infections, recording 3,068 cases between June and September 25, a threefold increase from the previous year.

As of September 26, Delhi had reported 3,013 cases of dengue and one death from it. In view the spike in the number of dengue cases, the health minister on Wednesday held a high-level meeting.

Doctors say several dengue patients have needed hospitalisation.

"There were some admissions in critical care units, especially patients who presented very late and many of these patients have been transferred to our hospitals from other hospitals outside of Delhi. So they were already in a very sick situation," said Sandeep Budhiraja, group medical director - Max Healthcare and senior director - Institute of Internal Medicine.

Nikhil Kulkarni, consultant-internal medicine, SL Raheja Hospital, Mahim - A Fortis associate, said they are seeing patients with high-grade fever and rashes lasting for 5-7 days.

According to Kulkarni, though most of the patients are responding to early hydration and fever control, a small percentage needed intensive care. "In such patients, it is important to rule out coexisting infections like malaria, typhoid, and chikungunya... It is crucial to not self-treat the fever, instead, consult a doctor immediately...," he said.

Budhiraja said the numbers are expected to come down. "The peak was in late August," he said.

On Wednesday, health minister Mansukh Mandaviya evaluated the readiness of the public health system to tackle and control the disease.