Cost of Dengue Treatment

Dengue Treatment: Introduction

Dengue is a significant health challenge across India, from rural areas to major cities like New Delhi and Hyderabad. Unhygienic conditions and waterlogging contribute to mosquito breeding, making dengue a substantial financial burden. Treatment costs can range from INR 5,000 to INR 5 Lakhs, with an average of approximately INR 30,000. This makes treatment unaffordable for many middle to lower-income families. To address this, many Indian insurance companies offer health insurance plans at affordable premiums, providing access to better diagnosis and treatment facilities. Learn more about dengue, its causes, diagnosis, treatment costs, and prevention methods in this article.

What is Dengue?

Dengue is a deadly and communicable disease spread by the DENV virus, carried to humans through infected mosquitoes.

These DENV strains cause different stages of dengue. Dengue symptoms include headache, high fever, nausea, body pain, and muscle and joint pain. In severe cases, it can lead to bleeding, trauma, or even be fatal. Early identification of symptoms can be challenging as patients may not initially experience severe illness.

Symptoms Leading to Dengue Treatment

Dengue shows mild symptoms when a person gets infected, with conditions often improving within 1-2 weeks. However, symptoms can sometimes be severe and go unrecognized. Key symptoms of dengue infection include:

Ways Dengue is Spread

Dengue can be transmitted through several ways:

• Mosquito Bites

  The female Aedes aegypti mosquito is the primary vector that transmits the dengue-causing virus. Once infected with the DENV virus, this mosquito remains a transmitter of dengue for its entire life.

• Human-Mosquito Transmission

  If an infected person is bitten by a mosquito, that mosquito may then infect others.

• Maternal Factors

  If a pregnant woman is bitten by dengue vectors, the unborn baby may also catch the infection, potentially leading to premature delivery, low birth weight, or fetal distress.

• Other Factors

  Other transmitting factors include transmission through organ or blood donation if the donor had dengue symptoms.

Factors Affecting the Cost of Dengue Treatment in India

The cost of dengue treatment in India varies by hospital and location. It primarily depends on the severity of the infection and the diagnostic tests required. Here are the common tests performed to diagnose dengue:

Tests Done to Diagnose Dengue

NOTE: Dengue diagnosis is based on these test results:

• Case 1: NS1 and/or IgM positive, IgG negative = Primary dengue infection diagnosed.
• Case 2: NS1 and/or IgM positive, IgG positive = Second-stage dengue infection diagnosed.
• Case 3: NS1, IgM, IgG negative = No dengue infection present.

Cost of Dengue Treatment in India

The medical cost of dengue treatment in India varies significantly across hospitals based on facilities and treatment required. While overall costs can range from INR 50,000 to INR 2,00,000 or more, the table below provides estimated average costs for common diagnostic tests:

NOTE: This table represents estimated charges from a specific lab and does not reflect universal prices. Costs may vary across clinics and hospitals.

How Can Dengue Be Prevented and Its Spread Treated?

Dengue transmission can be prevented through various measures, starting at home. Here are ways to control its spread:

Control Methods at Home:

• Use turmeric daily to boost immunity and metabolic strength.
• Intake of papaya leaf extract can inhibit viral growth and replication.
• For an Ayurvedic approach, Giloy is a wonderful remedy.
• Vegetables like bitter gourd and bottle gourd are good sources to cure minor dengue symptoms.

Medical Support in Case of Severity:

• Consult a doctor immediately if you experience dengue symptoms.
• In cases of dehydration, electrolytic transfusions may be administered.
• Analgesic medications are useful for joint or bone pain associated with dengue infection.
• Consider getting vaccinated against dengue if you have had prior symptoms or are at risk.

Prevention of Dengue:

• Use mosquito nets while sleeping to prevent mosquito bites.
• Apply mosquito repellents made with natural ingredients like Neem, cinnamon, lemon+eucalyptus, or lavender oils.
• Use natural essential oils at home; their diffusion can be effective in preventing dengue.
• Keep your surroundings clean and tidy to prevent mosquitoes from breeding rapidly.
• Avoid storing stagnant water, as it creates breeding grounds for infected mosquitoes.
• Avoid junk food and include healthy, easily digestible food in your meals. Drink more water.

Government Scheme for Dengue Treatment

The Government of India has launched a useful scheme for dengue treatment, benefiting individuals and families who cannot afford costly medical care. This national scheme, known as the National Vector Borne Diseases Control Programme (NVBDCP), aims to control and stop the spread of diseases caused by viruses like Malaria, Dengue, Kala-azar, Japanese Encephalitis, Chikungunya, and Lymphatic Filariasis.

Conclusion

Dengue infection can be severe and, at times, deadly. Factors like population growth, human migration, water storage practices, and lifestyle contribute to its spread. While specific medications for dengue are limited, adopting preventive measures at home is crucial to protect yourself and your loved ones.

Multiple health insurance providers in the Indian market provide coverage for the treatment cost of dengue in India. You can get a quote from expert advisors at PolicyX.com for more info.