Diet tips: What dengue patients should eat

Zee Media Bureau/Salome Phelamei

New Delhi: Since August this year, Delhi has witnessed a drastic rise in the number of dengue fever cases as compared to the last five years.

As per a municipal report released, at least 530 cases of dengue have been reported this year till the third week of August, the highest number for the period in the last five years.

The August month has reported its highest number, with cases rising to an alarming 477 against 11 and 142 cases in the last two years, respectively. Two people have succumbed to the virus this year.

At 530 total cases, it’s a rise of more than 91 per cent over the corresponding figure till last week.

At least 277 cases were reported till August 17. The number of cases from January 1 to August 21 for the last four years are 28 (2014), 96 (2013), 11 (2012), 60 (2011). For the same period in 2010, over 550 cases were reported. 

Dengue is an infectious mosquito-borne viral infection. Symptoms can range from mild fever, to incapacitating high fever, with severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pain, and rash. It is not transmitted directly from person-to-person.

Till date, there is no any specific treatment or vaccine for dengue.

While there is no prescribed diet for dengue, doctors suggest that dengue patients be given such food which can be easily digestible.

Here are a few diet tips that can help you to combat soon from the dengue fever:

Fluids: People who have dengue fever should drink plenty of fuids throughout the day. Apart from drinking plenty of wtwr, take fruit juices, lime juice, coconut water. This will help wash the toxins away from the body in the form of urine. Fresh orange juice, which is filled with vitamins and energy, will help in digestion as well as promote antibodies for a speedy recovery.

Green leafy vegetables: In order to fight the virus that affects the body, it is important that the patient eats a healthy diet with lots of fresh green leafy vegetables. However, oily and spicy food should be avoided.

Papaya leaf extract: Juice prepared from crushed papaya and leaves is believed as one of the best home remedies for dengue fever treatment.

High protein diet: Even after recovery, patients are asked to take high protein diet to restore all the resources of vitamins, minerals, proteins and fats in the body. Eating chicken, fish, eggs and other dairy products can help patients battle the virus fast.