The number of dengue and chikungunya patients in Sri Lanka is increasing significantly, and if the fever persists for more than two days, one should immediately seek medical treatment and undergo blood tests, says Specialist Dr. Maheshaka Wijewardene.
Thousands of dengue patients have been reported so far this year, with the majority in the Colombo and Gampaha districts. In addition, Dr. Wijewardene warns that there may be an increase in chikungunya patients after a few years. He attributed this situation to the prevailing rainy weather.
Both dengue and chikungunya are spread by Aedes mosquitoes, and he says that the disease is difficult to diagnose correctly because the symptoms are similar in the early stages, such as fever, headache, body aches, joint pain and skin rashes.
He points out that if dengue develops into a 'hemorrhagic' condition, it poses a life-threatening risk, and if proper treatment is not received, internal bleeding, shock and even death can occur.
Also, the doctor advises against using painkillers (NSAIDs) other than paracetamol in the early days of fever.