Dengue Diaries

Who would have thought that a single and tiny parasite would cause my suffering?

Hello. Just got back from the hospital. To those who are not aware, I was admitted in the hospital for 5 days due to dengue. And this is entry will be about my experience as a dengue patient.



Note: Normal plate count is 150 to 400.

Day 1 (June 4)
Platelet count: 220

TJ and I were in the mall when I suddenly had a headache. I thought it was just a simple migraine so we ate lunch (my migraine is sometimes caused by hunger) first. After 2 hours, the headache became worse despite the Paracetamol I had taken. Then, I felt that my body is like fuming with heat. I had chills and felt irritable. I told TJ to rush me to the hospital immediately because I knew I was having high fever.

I texted my parents that we were on our way to the emergency room. Apparently, my brother is also febrile. We were both rushed to the same hospital, at the same time.

Because I had a headache that I rated as 10 in the pain scale, they opted to give me a strong pain reliever intravenously. I was expecting it would put me to sleep but the drug disappointed me. After an hour, they gave me a muscle relaxant to relieve the migraine. Still, it didn't work. Then, after one hour (again), they gave me another strong pain reliever orally. The pain lessen but the head ache is still there. They wanted to send me home since I was initially negative from the dengue antigen test but the head ache was really killing me. I asked for an antihistamine to put me to sleep. They wanted to give me an anxiolytic drug but I told them I don't want to go home and take the Valium. If they want me to take Valium, I have to stay in the hospital. That was my request.

The brother was positive for dengue but he was also sent home on the first day. I, on the other hand, was negative from dengue and was prescribed with an antihistamine that I requested. The doctors told me that I should consult a neurologist for my migraine and undergo CT scan of the head to check how worse my migraine is. I refused the CT scan in the hospital because I know how expensive it is. I decided to go home instead. I got home with a groggy feeling at 12 am. I don't know why they gave me an Iterax an hour before I left the hospital when they could have told me to take it at home instead.

Day 2 (June 5)
Platelet count: 200

My brother was sent back to the emergency room early in the morning because he had a very high fever. I stayed home the whole day and didn't go to work. Thank God, I had enough time of sleep. I had on and off fever though. My brother was admitted in the hospital on the same day.

In the evening, I decided to visit my brother and had my blood re-checked for the platelet count. In the hospital, I reached 38.6 degrees Celsius. I was febrile again so as soon as I got the result from the laboratory, my father and I proceeded to the emergency room to consult a medical resident. The MROD (medical resident on duty) told me that there's no need for me to be admitted since the result says I have normal platelet count. My WBC count may be low due to the viral infection.

I went home with fever.

Day 3 (June 6)

I decided to consult a neurologist in the hospital where I am working... While preparing, my vision suddenly became literally black. The last time I had that kind of feeling was hours before I had my emergency operation in 2009. I checked my blood pressure immediately and damn, it's 80 over 50. Too low! I called my dad to bring me to the hospital (where my brother is admitted) immediately.

In the emergency room, the MROD told me that they will admit me instead of me going back and forth. I agreed because I already felt helpless. Since my attending physician is an Ob-gyne, they referred me to a consultant that specializes in infectious/communicable diseases. My brother was also referred to her.

I had a very high fever the whole day. I was on Paracetamol IV round the clock (ever four hours). My parents wanted my brother and I to share a room to be able to save money but then they found out that it was more expensive than the small private rooms. That night, my brother was then transferred to third floor (he was initially admitted at the 6th floor) where we were able to avail 2 small private rooms adjacent to each other.

Day 4 (June 7)
Platelet count: 190

At 2 am, I had a tremendous muscle pain from my knees down to my toes. I cried in pain, called the nurses and asked for a pain reliever. I was still febrile even if my Paracetamol is given every 4 hours. Since I didn't want to wake my mom who was very tired from taking care of me and my brother, I did tepid sponge bath all by myself. To be able to get my mind off the pain, I texted one of my work mates if she was on duty. Since she was on night duty, I called our station and had a little chitchat with her. At 2 am. Haha! After our conversation, the pain subsided and I was able to go back to sleep.

At 6 am, I woke up with super sweaty shirt. I told my mom I want to change clothes because I already don't feel comfortable with what I am wearing. It's just so... wet! Fortunately, my body temperature went back to normal after sweating profusely the whole night.

At 10 am, the doctor told me that news I will never want to hear again: I am positive for dengue.

Thank God, I was afebrile the whole day. But then, I felt nauseous so they gave me Plasil intravenously to relieve nausea and vomiting which was part of the dengue course.  I also had stomach upset so the doctor shifted my oral meds for the stomach to IV. Also,  I had low potassium level in my body so I started to take Potassium (Kalium durule) tablets three times a day for only 6 doses.

Day 5 (June 8)
Platelet count: 200

The stomach upset was relieved but then I noticed that my whole body started to become itchy. I kept on scratching my skin to relieve the itchiness but to no avail. I refused the Ranitidine IV (for stomach) that they were giving me because I just wanted to know if it's causing me hypersensitivity. But the doctor said, it's all part of the dengue course. Damnit. I didn't know dengue could be this harsh!

That night, I wasn't able to sleep because of itchiness. Even though they already gave me an antihistamine to put me to sleep, it still didn't work.

Day 6 (June 9)
Platelet count: 225

I was restless and irritable due to the rashes that started to show on my skin. It was effin' itchy, I swear! It's the worst itchiness I've ever felt in my entire life! I never imagined that I'd have to suffer from dengue like this.

In the afternoon, they gave me Benadryl, another antihistamine. Then, they also increased my Iterax to 25 mg (it was initially 10 mg) every night. The result? Unsuccessful. I was able to sleep for a few hours but the itchiness would still wake me up. Although, I must say that it has lessened compared to the first day of my itchiness.

Day 7 (June 10)
Platelet count: 250

I was ready to go home because the doctor promised me I can be discharged by this day if symptoms are already relieved. Although I still have the itchiness, I was still determined to go home since being admitted in the hospital for 5 days is boring. It's driving me nuts plus the fact that I hate, hate, hate hospital food! How can I even enjoy NO DARK COLORED FOODS + HYPOALLERGENIC diet? How? Their food sucks big time. I don't know why. They should change the way they cook their food. It's really not justifiable for what we pay. But what can you expect, it's a hospital food! Most of the patients don't have good appetite while admitted so the taste buds don't matter in this situation.

The doctor came in the afternoon. We waited for her since morning because we thought I'd be sent home in the morning. Thankfully, my brother and I were sent home at the same time because we don't have monkey business anymore in that hospital. Lolz. Although we were both red because of the rashes on our skin, we are very happy to be finally home. :)

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There are many dengue cases here in our country. Some kids die because of it. I was once a witness of a patient who died from dengue. I am thankful that my brother and I didn't reach that point where we have to undergo blood transfusion nor be sent to the intensive care unit. I am thankful that my parents have funds to pay the bills. There are hundreds or even thousands of dengue cases; some may still be uncounted. It's just sad to know that not all of those cases are financially prepared for it. Dengue can be prevented by getting rid of those things where mosquitoes inhabit. Since it's the rainy season again, I'm pretty sure there will be an alarming rate again for dengue cases. Prevention is better than cure. Don't forget to clean your houses and get rid of those mosquitoes. Also, make sure you apply mosquito repellents when going out! Lastly,pray that you are not "the chosen one". Lol.

I will forever loathe and curse dengue as this caused me a lot of pain physically, physiologically, emotionally and financially!I still cannot believe up to this point that I was a dengue victim but I am glad my brother and I survived it.