Covid-19 or Dengue? Malaysian doctor reveals differences and similarities between the two

Petaling Jaya, July 16 — The recent outbreak of heat can be a major concern as the world continues to fight the Covid-19 pandemic.

But how do you distinguish Covid-19 from dengue, another dangerous illness with similar characteristic symptoms such as fever, fatigue, and muscle and joint aches.

Dr Barnary Kammun, an expert and associate professor of health care and family medicine at the International Medical University (IMU), said that two illnesses could be linked to another to help Malaysians better know about their health. I’ve provided some helpful hints to help you distinguish.

Dr. Lee said it is important to understand that Covid-19 is a respiratory disease and that dengue is a systemic febrile disease mediated whether or not there are respiratory symptoms.

Although dengue fever is transmitted differently because Covid-19 infects respiratory droplets through coughing, sneezing, and contact with contaminated surfaces, dengue fever is transmitted by being bitten by an infected female Aedes aegypti.

“Covid-19 is caused by the latest addition or seventh member of the coronavirus family that infects humans, which is now known as SARS-CoV-2.

“Dengue fever, on the other hand, is an acute febrile illness caused by infection with one of the four single-stranded RNA flaviviruses involved: DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3, or DENV-4 “Dr Press Release Lee.

She explained that overlapping symptoms can often cause confusion when drawing a line between Covid-19 and dengue.

Covid-19 usually produces a mild to moderate fever between 37.5 and 39°C that lasts for several days.

On the other hand, dengue fever rises from 40 to 41 degrees Celsius from day 1 to day 5 or day 6 and may relapse by resting by day 7 or day 8, which is a biphasic fever. This is a symptom known as a pattern.

Fatigue is a common symptom of both Covid-19 and dengue, but only 15% of Covid-19 patients report experiencing joint and muscle pain.

Joint and muscle pain is so common in people who suffer from dengue fever that its alternative name is “fracture fever”.

“The difference between the two illnesses is that in the case of dengue fever, fatigue, bone pain, as well as painful headaches around or behind the eyeballs, are very common, causing patients to have a small rash on their lower legs or chest. It is possible to cause red sea white), nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain.

“On the other hand, respiratory-related symptoms such as dry cough, stuffy nose, dyspnea, conjunctivitis, and loss of taste and smell are synonymous with Covid-19,” said Dr. Lee.

One advantage of the dissemination of health-related information on social media means that more and more dengue patients are in the early stages of their disease to get a diagnosis.

“With the current control of the recovery movement and the rapid dissemination of health news and updates on social media, Malaysians are well informed to be very worried when they have a fever.

“Regardless of dengue or Covid-19, serious illness and late-onset complications can be fatal.”

The Ministry of Health recorded 130,101 cases of worrying dengue in Malaysia in 2019, an increase of 61.4% from 80,615 cases in 2018.

From December 29, 2019 to June 30, 2020, the cumulative number of cases of dengue fever is already 55,115, and 92 people died due to severe dengue fever from January to June of this year. It was.

Dr. Lee said the Aedes aegypti thrives in Malaysia’s hot and humid climate, making it an urgent public health problem, especially with regard to the increased mortality of the disease.

She advised people with fever to visit the nearest private clinic or clinic Keshihattan from the first day of fever and have them tested for Covid-19 and Dengue.

“Patients with respiratory symptoms such as fever, cough, dyspnea, sore throat, and loss of odor will most likely be referred to a laboratory or government clinic that offers a Covid-19 test.” ..

“If the Covid-19 test is negative, a dengue test may be done. When you arrive at the clinic, please tell the entrance triage staff how long you have the fever and when.

After that, you will be taken to the isolation room and the doctor will wear full personal protective equipment to get a complete history.

“Be honest. Doctors need enough information to distinguish between Dengue and Covid-19 infections.”

Dr. Lee also told Malaysians that persistent nausea and vomiting, upper abdominal pain (indicating liver involvement), diarrhea, spontaneous bleeding from the gums from the nose and gums, and usually on day 5 of fever or From day 6, it may appear as small red spots.