Synopsis:

Several countries are struggling with Dengue epidemics as the COVID-19 spreads around the world. In the context of co-epidemics, it would be useful to distinguish COVID-19 from Dengue because both diseases are thought to present similarly. Also, some of the Covid and dengue fever symptoms are similar too. There have been increasing concerns during the past few decades about the possibilities of coinciding outbreaks and co-infections with developing viruses, especially with arboviruses that happens because of the same Aedes mosquito vector. However, the disparity diagnosis between influenza and dengue has been barely inspected since the 2009 flu pandemic, which is quite surprising. 

Dengue, on one hand, is a cyclic illness that happens every year, while COVID is the new talk of the town, the common symptoms of the disease with COVID can be quite alarming to differentiate. In precise, a moderate to high fever is the sign which is seen as a predominant symptom of infection spread, in both situations.

What do You Need to Know?

To differentiate Dengue from Covid 19, we need to look at all the Covid and Dengue fever symptoms in detail. Let’s get started:

Signs and Symptoms of Dengue:

Dengue fever can range from asymptomatic infection to a serious illness. Dengue is a trivial to moderate disease with usually two phases.

1. Mild phase
   The mild Dengue fever symptoms are:

• Fever
• Headache with eye pain
• Myalgia
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Rash
• Leukopenia
• Threatening signs for severe illness: abdominal pain or tenderness, continued vomiting, clinical fluid increase, mucosal bleeding, 
• Lethargy, restlessness, and liver enlargement.

The appearance of a warning sign may indicate that a patient is suffering from severe dengue fever.

2. Critical Phase

Alarming signs may appear, and quick clinical descent may occur within 48 hours after inception (3–7 days after the fever begins). Any of the following Dengue fever symptoms are classified as severe dengue.

• Significant plasma leakage leading to shock or fluid accumulation with respiratory distress
• Severe bleeding; or severe organ impairment
• Altered consciousness, or heart damage.

Signs and Symptoms of COVID-19:

Covid is a disease with many variants, however, most variants are mild to moderate, and the symptoms of covid-19 includes the following.

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhoea

These indications of COVID-19 are the most common ones that most people who suffered from the illness have already experienced. However, this list is not complete as the studies are still being conducted worldwide.

What are similar signs between Dengue and COVID-19?

Dengue and COVID-19 both are viral diseases, and the probability of facing alike symptoms is fairly high. A few of the commonly documented symptoms associated with both diseases are body pain, myalgia, chills, fever, and nausea.

The only diagnostic way to tell symptoms apart is to get the test done, according to doctors, besides the symbols and suspected exposure, the most important thing any patient with these indicators should be on the watch for is the fever.

Key differences between Dengue fever and COVID-fever?

Even though fever is a usual symptom for all types of infections (mild, moderate or severe), the fever recorded during COVID is mostly of low or moderate grade and manageable with the intake of medicines like paracetamols. Although, if the fever stays for more than 7 days, the underlying infection is said to be severe or threatening.

One of the Dengue fever symptoms is that the Temperature can rise considerably high, and also be accompanied by other alarming symptoms, which may need intensive treatment to recover. 

The fever in dengue infection can also be constant and persistent, whereas, with COVID, it can rise and fall. To conclude, the way your fever sets in with an infection could predict if the symptoms you have are that of Covid-19 or Dengue.

When do you need to be doubtful of your illness to be Dengue?

It is best to provide supportive and therapeutic treatment along with a focus on rest and recovery. If you are feeling that worse can happen to you so rather than go for expensive treatment you should try our Karika Syrup. It is Pakistan’s most trusted medicine for dengue fever treatment. As there is no particular vaccine or medication for dengue, this is the best possible way to cater and cure dengue-like symptoms. It Includes:

• Carica Papaya leaves.
• Tinospora Cordifolia extract.
• Helping in increasing Platelets.
• Reducing High Fever.

Do not forget that it is essential to get tested at this point, for both diseases. We cannot ignore the fact that COVID-19 is still an active danger and also if diagnosis of Dengue is not done in time, can have severe outcomes and can be fatal too. Pre-existing illnesses or immuno-suppressant conditions can make the situation worst.

Dengue or COVID which is more dangerous?

To compare the two diseases one can easily say that both the diseases are crucial and can cause complications in adults with previous chronic conditions, like heart disease or diabetes. For both dengue and COVID-19, appropriate tests must be conducted regularly by healthcare professionals and they should follow the patient attentively for alarming signs.

As monsoon is a Dengue season and the COVID pandemic has coincided with that, one can never be too careful. If anyone is facing symptoms such as cold, body pains, weakness and high fever, they must not rely on self-medication and should immediately consult a doctor.

As well as precautionary measures, there are many other tips for treating dengue fever. If you would like to find or consult our best pharmacist, you can book an appointment with us.