Addressing a media briefing in Colombo yesterday, she added that people should get a blood test (Full Blood Count (FBC)) done on medical advice if they suffer from fever for more than two days. Pregnant mothers should seek prompt medical treatment for fever from the family doctor / a qualified doctor or from the nearest state hospital without any delay. Hospital admission should be required when necessary.
According to Dr. Palihawadana, patients should take Paracetamol only for fever and they should not take any other pain killers or medications such as NSAIDs. Such medications cause Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) which is fatal. DHF and Dengue shock syndrome can be prevented by seeking swift medical treatment.
Dr. Palihawadana pointed out that a total of 27697 dengue cases and 54 dengue deaths had been reported from all parts of the country so far within this year. The majority of dengue cases (over 50 percent of them) had been reported from the Western Province and from this, 30 percent had been reported from the Colombo District. She added that this season (November, December and January) was the second dengue peak time for Dengue in the year.
