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Doctors have advised dengue patients to take adequate rest and drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration, maintain blood pressure and support the body’s recovery.
They recommend drinking water, coconut water, oral saline and fresh fruit juices regularly, while also maintaining a nutritious diet to help the body regain strength and support immunity.
Dr Md Abdul Quader, an associate professor of paediatrics at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH), said dengue patients should receive nutritious food along with adequate fluids.
“Dengue can cause dehydration, weakness, fatigue and a drop in platelet levels,” he said, stressing the importance of protein-rich foods such as fish, meat, pulses, eggs, nuts, milk and yoghurt.
He also recommended easily digestible foods including chicken soup, nuts, milkshakes and pudding, particularly because patients with fever may find it difficult to eat heavy meals. Small portions of nutritious food taken frequently can help maintain adequate nutrition.
Quader also advised patients to consume vitamin C-rich foods such as lemons, oranges, malta, amla, olives, grapefruit and pineapple. Vitamin C helps the body absorb iron and supports the immune system, he said.
Dr Hasan Hafizur Rahman, an associate professor of medicine at DMCH, said dengue fever can cause body temperatures to rise to 102–105 degrees Fahrenheit.
He advised patients to take appropriate measures to reduce fever and use paracetamol-based medication when necessary, according to medical advice. He stressed that maintaining adequate fluid levels is a key part of dengue management.
“Along with water, liquid foods such as fruit juice, soup, oral saline and coconut water should be consumed,” he said.
Rahman also emphasised the importance of rest, saying it allows the immune system to focus on fighting the viral infection. However, he advised patients to avoid spending their rest periods on social media, online games or unnecessary internet browsing.
According to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), 19,345 people had been hospitalised with dengue as of August 9 this year, with 61 deaths reported.
Of those who died, 39 were women and 22 were men. Among the reported patients, 61.5 percent were men and 38.5 percent were women. Dhaka division alone has recorded 28 dengue-related deaths so far this year.
