Dengue has become a massive global health challenge in recent times. It is a mosquito-borne viral disease caused by the dengue virus (DENV). The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified dengue as the most prevalent viral infection that spreads via bites of the infected female Aedes species mosquitoes. It can cause platelet levels to drop and damage blood vessels. There are several types of dengue fever and if not treated promptly, it can be life-threatening.
The infected person may experience joint and muscle aches, high temperature, headaches and rashes within a few days after the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito. The symptoms can worsen over a period, but milder types of dengue fever usually settle in a week.
Augmenting the person’s immune system is vital in fighting the dengue virus. Although there is no specific cure for this viral fever. Nevertheless, having a wholesome balanced, nutrient-dense diet may be crucial to speed up the recovery process and an important step in rebounding you back into a healthy state.
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Dive into this article to learn more about foods to eat and avoid during dengue fever.
Dietary Guidelines
Low platelet counts, severe weakness and dehydration are all possible outcomes of dengue fever, and the diet regimen should be planned cautiously to avert that. A well-planned diet is essential for the speedy recovery of patients.
Also Read: Dengue Fever: Drink Papaya Leaf Extract To Increase Platelet Count
Good Hydration
Maintaining hydration is essential to prevent dehydration, mainly if you are having vomiting or diarrhoea. These symptoms can cause the body to deplete fluids. Water, clear soup, tender coconut water and electrolyte drinks can help to correct fluid imbalances. However, avoid sugary drinks and beverages, which may lead to further dehydration.
Eat Small Meals
Eating small frequent meals is preferred rather than having large meals. This can help ensure that your body gets the right amount of nutrients without putting excess strain on the gastrointestinal system.
Add Nutrient-dense Foods
You can trigger the immune system by adding foods abundant in vitamins and minerals to the diet regimen. Fruits, veggies, legumes, and whole grains are all impressive sources of vital nutrition.
Limit High-fat And High-fibre Rich Foods
It is ideal to refrain from foods that are loaded with fat or fibre. These foods can be difficult to digest and could exert a lot of pressure on the digestive system.
Foods To Eat And Drink During Dengue
Power-up with Vitamin C Foods
Vitamin C is one of the essential nutrients that should be part of your diet during dengue. Attributed with potent anti-viral and antioxidative traits, vitamin C helps in building a robust immune system. In addition, it helps in absorbing another powerful nutrient iron from the intestine. Some of the vitamin C-rich foods you should incorporate include oranges, lemon, papaya, guava etc., and vegetables like green leafy vegetables, capsicum, cauliflower, broccoli etc.
Papaya extract is an impressive source of digestive enzymes such as papain and chymopapain. These enzymes are known to promote digestion, ease bloating and treat other digestive problems. Also, fresh papaya leaf juice helps in treating dengue by improving platelet counts.
Add Iron Rich Foods
The platelet counts drop during dengue fever. Your system requires a good amount of iron to maintain your blood haemoglobin levels and produce platelets. Platelets are vital in the blood clotting process of the system and hence it is important to prevent blood loss, which is common during dengue. Thus, having iron-rich foods like lean meat, beans and legumes, green leafy vegetables and dates may help in delivering iron. This will help in boosting platelet counts and speed up the recovery process.
Load Vitamin K Foods
Vitamin K is another essential nutrient that assists in improving the platelet count. In addition, it also helps in blood clotting, which is beneficial in managing dengue fever. Try including foods rich in vitamin K like sprouts, broccoli, cabbage, spinach, kale, kiwi, avocado, and lean meat to recuperate well.
Calorie Dense Foods
Your body becomes weak and exhausted when infected by the dengue virus. Include plenty of energy-dense foods such as rice, milk, and potato, that would help you regain lost strength and convalescence well.
Adequate Fluids
Water is quintessential for the system, particularly when you are recovering from dengue fever. Ensure to drink plenty of fluids including water, tender coconut water, clear soup, and rice porridge as they are packed with electrolytes (like potassium, calcium, sodium and magnesium). Fluids will maintain your electrolyte balance and keep you well-hydrated.
Foods To Avoid
Caffeine
Caffeine is a diuretic that causes the system to lose water via urine. Thus, it is vital to restrict caffeinated beverages when suffering from dengue fever, as the body needs to stay hydrated.
Spicy Foods
Spicy Foods can irritate the stomach and damage the intestinal wall due to excess acid secretion. It is ideal to have a soft and bland diet and avoid species.
Fatty Foods
The digestion of food is usually slow with dengue fever, making it hard for the stomach to break down fatty foods. So, it is essential to restrict foods like fatty meat cuts, butter, and deep-fried foods. This will reduce the strain on your intestine and use that energy to help you regain strength.
