Leaking Blood Vessels
During the same event, Dr. dr. Anggraini “Anggie” Alam, Sp.A.(K), Head of the Indonesian Pediatricians’ Association (Ikatan Dokter Anak Indonesia–IDAI) Tropical Infections and Diseases Coordinated Work Unit, warns that dengue exists everywhere and may infect anyone. “Everyone is at risk of the disease, no matter their age, gender, race, social status, or residence.
However, children have a higher risk of getting severe dengue than adults, and more than 80% of children older than 10 have suffered from one form of dengue or another. According to our 2022 data, 40% of cases were children, and 73% of deaths occur in the 10-14-year-old age range.
Dengue infections barely show any symptoms – only 25% of infections show clinical symptoms and 5% show severe symptoms. Furthermore, a second dengue infection with a different serotype will increase the risk of dengue severity,” Dr. Anggie said.
Unlike adults who can clearly complain of headaches and muscle, bone, and joint pain, a child infected with the dengue usually shows the symptoms of refusing to drink, vomiting, suffering from stomach pains. They will seem listless and sleepy, turn pale, and their hands and feet will feel cold.
“Dangerous signs on the third day, or when the fever starts to lower, include various types of bleeding: nose bleeding, urinating and defecating blood, lower urine volume. We need to be wary not when thrombocyte gets low, but when blood vessels leak.
It is this seeping out of fluids from the blood vessels that may give rise to shock and even onward to death. According to our clinical experience, dengue patients already suffering from shock and hemorrhaging can still stand and walk normally, unlike patients for other diseases,” Dr. Anggie stated.
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There are no specific treatments to cure either dengue or severe dengue. The State’s economic burden arising from dengue outpatient treatment cost averages USD 26 million a year, and hospitalization costs of dengue patients average USD 354 million a year.
Dr. Anggie went on to explain that in view of its high fatality rate and high costs, we need a safe and effective dengue vaccine that will reduce the risk of death, severity, and hospitalization. The Food and Drug Agency has issued a new generation dengue vaccine under the recommendation of both the IDAI and the Indonesian Internal Disease Specialists Association (Perhimpunan Dokter Spesialis Penyakit Dalam Indonesia–PAPDI), indicated for the prevention of serotypes 1, 2, 3, and 4 dengue viruses and administered without screening. The vaccine is suitable for children, teens, and adults 6-45 years old. It is administered in two doses, i.e. on months 0 and 3. (est)
