My parents called me frantically because my sister had a high fever, and they suspected a dengue fever diagnosis.
“Dengue fever? Really?” I had said to her. I was surprised that my sister had contracted an illness that is typically limited to tropical climates and jungle climates.
I talked my sister through tools to get her body through the worst of her symptoms, and thankfully, she improved soon after. Then I heard that the CDC announced there were 31 cases of Dengue Fever in New Jersey, and it got me thinking. How did dengue fever hit the US East Coast? And will we see more of it soon?
WARNING SIGNS
None of us wants to see another pandemic, but it’s smart to look out for signs of a sudden surge of known or new pathogens.
Late last month, the CDC announced a warning for the United States. Over 180 cases of travelers with Dengue fever have now appeared in New York and New Jersey.
Last week, Moderna was granted $176 million from the US government to develop a new injectable medical treatment based on the same technology used during the recent pandemic. This treatment will target the flu virus, a decision driven by a recent bird flu outbreak (the H5N1 virus).
While I don’t advocate taking in the news constantly, I do watch for signs of what may be coming as far as health challenges on a global scale. Let’s look at dengue fever, its origins, and how to protect ourselves.
WHAT IS DENGUE FEVER?
Dengue fever is the name given by medical professionals to a collection of symptoms that result from infection with the dengue virus. Although the dengue virus is believed to be exclusively contracted via mosquito bites, medical research cannot be certain.
Historically, the dengue virus has primarily impacted humans in tropical areas of the world, possibly due to its alleged connection to mosquitos as carriers of the virus. However, the dengue virus has skyrocketed in numbers over the last 20 years, with as many as 400 million or more cases per year. Read more here.
Classic symptoms include very high fevers, a significant drop in blood platelet count (platelets cause clotting after injury to the skin), eye pain and other sudden aches and pains, nausea, rashes, and vomiting. A blood test is the only way to confirm infection by the dengue virus.
Dengue fever and the dengue virus, like other viruses with similar behavior, including the Zika and chikungunya viruses, present symptoms like an intense flu.
OVERCOME DENGUE FEVER
If you or anyone you know are showing these symptoms or receive a diagnosis of dengue fever or the dengue virus, there are steps you can take right away to combat the virus and regain stability in your body.
First, move to a liquid-only diet until symptoms begin to subside. Lemon water, coconut water, celery juice, watermelon juice, orange juice, other fresh juices, herbal teas, and this healing broth are the best things to consume throughout the day when you’re up against dengue fever. It is essential not to become dehydrated with a fever.
Here’s a modified healing broth recipe that my kids love if you’re concerned about your little ones not drinking the version linked above.
Fresh, plain cucumber juice consumed multiple times throughout the day is one of the best options to bring in if you have dengue fever. It will help relieve the fever and cool all body systems. It is crucial not to become hydrated with a fever if you contract dengue fever, so drink as often as possible.
If your fever does not come down on its own after drinking all liquids and lots of cucumber juice, you need to bring in a pharmaceutical product to help bring the fever down to avoid the damage that prolonged high fevers can cause. Genexa has a clean acetaminophen product that I recommend. Motrin can also be used for fever reduction, which is typically the best option, even if not available in a “clean” version.
Supplements that help boost the immune system and knock down the virus that causes dengue fever include propolis, goldenseal, Total Immune Blend from Vimergy, cat’s claw, micro C (a high-quality vitamin C), L-lysine, vitamin B12, and liquid zinc sulfate.
Work with a practitioner to discuss the right dosages for you, and if you need an emergency appointment with our office, click here.
It took my sister three weeks to fully recover from her bout with dengue fever, which is uncharacteristically long for her. This virus is not kind to the body – many people feel totally depleted after their fever comes down. Taking steps to recover effectively after the worst is over is important.
B12 shock therapy, as described in Brain Saver by respected health authority Anthony William, is an effective way to help the body and nervous system recover from the adrenaline and nerve stress caused by dengue fever. Please refer to that book for specific guidance for your situation, where additional immune-strengthening shock therapies like those listed below are also outlined in detail.
Helpful supplement shock therapies to help the body recover from many health conditions:
- Vitamin C
- Zinc
- Propolis
- Goldenseal
- Thyme tea
- Calfornia poppy
To restore your platelet count, rely on these foods and herbs that help the body rapidly rebuild platelets:
- Chaga tea
- Raw honey
- Burdock root
- Coconut water
- Ample leafy greens
The spinach soup recipe from Medical Medium is a great meal option packed with greens. The nerve shifter brain shot is similarly high in nerve-supportive nutrients that also rebuild the blood.
A final note is that when experiencing dengue fever, it’s often recommended to have daily blood tests to check platelet count. If your doctor allows it based on your case, I recommend doing tests every few days and only very small vials (pediatric size), as frequent blood draws weaken the immune system
PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR LOVED ONES
We live in a world full of opportunity, but it’s also a world full of uncertainty. I prefer to be ready for anything, especially when it comes to the health of my family.
I would much rather get ahead of whatever may come our way in the future than ride things out as they arrive, so I prioritize putting out blogs like this one and past blog series like my Emergency Preparedness series.
Expect the best, but be ready for the worst is a helpful motto for today’s world. I’m honored to help ensure that you and your loved ones can be prepared to handle whatever comes.
To your health and peace,
Muneeza
