Without the White Coat
Fever can still kill
There was a time when fever was just a symptom that can be treated by simple antipyretics (paracetamol) or some soup broth. Nowadays it has become a big concern for parents, thus an immediate consultation with a doctor is needed. Fever will always be a sign of an infection or some physiologic change that an organ undergoes. Losing body fluid from low bowel movement (LBM), for example, may hike one's body temperature (hyperthermia).
However, for the elderly and some infants, some infections do not result to a fever.
Before, fever was looked upon as a simple viral infection (common cold or flu), a self-limiting condition wherein the fever will subside in three to five days. Nowadays due to the prevalence of diseases caused by mosquitoes, there will be concerns even on the first day when fever occurs. Parents need to be vigilant on the first day by having the complete blood count (CBC) and platelet count of their children checked.
Even before the rainy season started, the Department of Health (DOH) sent our advisories on diseases brought about by such season. Some of these diseases are leptospirosis, dengue, malaria, which are transmitted by mosquitoes.
In spite of measures undertaken to curb the disease, some cases of dengue surged and the suspected breeding place is the school campus. Reports of such cases will put the school in a bad light.
One university has been mentioned in the news lately as a breeding place of mosquitoes carrying the virus that causes dengue. But there is no confirmation yet because no epidemiological study, investigation and surveillance was done. Not even the DOH Regional Epidemiologist was consulted about the cases arising from the university.
Meanwhile, it has been a Filipino mentality to be reactive or curative when a 'situation' arises; not a proactive stance. Why do we wait for someone to die before implementing proactive programs?
Anyway, don't wait for fever to kill your loved ones. Immediate intervention is a must.