Dengue-malaria double whammy

KOLKATA: Even though far less in number than previous years, a twin attack of dengue and malaria are being reported from some parts of the city. While two had been struck by the mosquito-borne virus last month, a 62-yearold man -afflicted with dengue and the malaria-triggering plasmodium vivax parasite -is now fighting for his life at

Belle Vue Clinic

.The combination of dengue and malaria is potentially fatal and has often resulted in deaths in recent years.

“The twin attack has left his system badly affected.This patient has a high creatinine level while his bilirubin count has already shot up. He is dehydrated and has an issue with liver enzymes. His platelet count is falling steadily and now stands at 16,000.The multiple complications persist, though we are trying our best to revive him,“ said Samarjit

Naskar

, critical care expert at Belle Vue

Clinic

.

Even though plasmodium vivax-triggered malaria doesn't generally cause deaths, coupled with dengue, it could be fatal. Those above 60 are more vulnerable due to their lower immunity level.

Treatment, too, turns out to be a fine balancing act since the malarial parasite has to be countered together with the dengue virus even as platelet continues to plunge.

“This invariably triggers co-ailments like liver failure and hypotension, which could be difficult to manage. In the case of this patient, we are using an anti-malaria drug along with paracetamol, even as platelet is being infused.Since his liver is malfunctioning, we are monitoring it as well. So, multiple parameters are being screened and each is critical,“ said Naskar.

“This combination has been rare in the last four years, though we have come across scores of dengue or malaria cases,“ said Debashish Saha, consultant, AMRI Hospital.

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