Eat these Foods If You Have Dengue Fever
Come monsoons and infection cases for Dengue go up. According to WHO statistics, there are close two 50-75 million infections happening globally.
Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne tropical disease caused by the dengue virus. Symptoms typically begins three to fourteen days after infection. This may include a high fever, headache, vomiting, muscle and joint pains, and a characteristic skin rash.
When a mosquito bites a person infected with a dengue virus, the virus enters the mosquito. When the infected mosquito then bites another person, the virus enters that person’s bloodstream.
While there is no such cure yet for the disease, the only option is to tackle the symptoms and stop the platelet count from falling further. Having a good diet can also help stabilize your health and keep the platelet count from dipping further. Certain foods have also been used alongside traditional healing medicines to prevent and treat the mosquito-borne disease.
Having foods rich in antioxidants, rich in nutrients, which help boost immunity can get your health back on track after a dengue infection. Here, we tell you some of the best and effective foods which cut down on the risk of infection and help keep you healthy.
1. Coconut Water
Dengue generally results in dehydration. Thus, it is immensely beneficial to consume coconut water – which is loaded with electrolytes and vital nutrients. In many cases, ginger water is also suggested, since it helps to combat nausea that many dengue patients experience.
2. Papaya leaves
Papaya extract is rich in enzymes like papain and chymopapain, which aid digestion, prevent bloating and other digestive disorders. 30ml of fresh papaya leaf juice helps in increasing the platelet count and, therefore, in the treatment of dengue.
3. Pomegranate
Pomegranate is rich in essential nutrients and minerals that provides the body with required energy. Consumption of pomegranate reduces the feeling of exhaustion and fatigue. Being a rich source of iron, pomegranate stands out to be quite beneficial for the blood. It also helps in maintaining a normal blood platelet count which is essential to recover from dengue. Pomegranate has been used since the ancient times for its healthy and medicinal properties.
4. Kiwi Fruits
Kiwi Fruits contain good amounts of vitamin A, vitamin E, along with potassium to balance the body’s electrolytes and limiting hypertension and high blood pressure. The copper in kiwifruit is especially for the formation of healthy red blood cells and building immunity against disease.
Caution – The dengue fever can rise rapidly after the onset of the initial symptoms. Thus, it is vital that one seeks medical help as soon as these symptoms are observed. The above-mentioned remedies should be adopted as only supplemental forms of treatment.
5. Orange
A rich mix of antioxidants and Vitamin C, orange and its juice also helps in treating and eliminating the dengue virus.
A word of caution – The dengue fever can rise rapidly after the onset of the initial symptoms. Thus, it is vital that one seeks medical help as soon as these symptoms are observed. The above-mentioned remedies should be adopted as only supplemental forms of treatment.
6. Grapefruit
Grapefruit is a tropic fruit full of flavours as well as nutrients. It comes power-packed with high vitamin C content, antioxidants which recharge your immune system. The fruit is also known to work as a fever reliever and boost the production of infection-fighting white blood cells (WBCs) in the body.
Foods to be avoided during dengue fever
* It is best to avoid oily and fried food and opt for a lighter diet if you have dengue fever. Oily food contains a lot of fat which may lead to high blood pressure and high cholesterol. This can hamper your road to recovery as it weakens the immune system.
* Spicy food is a big no-no for dengue patients. It can cause acid to collect in the stomach and lead to ulcers and damage to the stomach wall. This damage hinders the recovery process as your body seems to be fighting double the illnesses.
