Brief
Doctors warn dengue patients to watch for critical phase after fever drops
Health specialists caution that a drop in temperature may signal the onset of plasma leakage, not recovery.
By Felo News Desk · Published
New Indian Express reported that dengue patients often enter a dangerous "critical phase" when fever subsides, a period marked by plasma leakage and sudden circulatory collapse.
What happened
The article describes the case of Ramesh Kumar, a 44‑year‑old teacher from Kollam, whose fever fell after four days but soon developed severe light‑headedness, low blood pressure and reduced urine output, prompting emergency hospital care.
What the reports add
Dr Vinod Xavier of Aster Medcity, Kochi, explained that post‑defervescence symptoms such as postural giddiness and weakness indicate plasma leakage. Dr Sheeja Sugunan of SAT Hospital, Thiruvananthapuram, added that capillary leakage reduces effective blood volume, risking multi‑organ dysfunction. Dr Aravinda S N highlighted that the critical stage typically occurs between days three and seven, often around day five.
What was said
“When a patient’s temperature falls and they initially appear to be recovering, families naturally drop their guard,” Dr Vinod Xavier told New Indian Express.
“The hallmark of the critical phase is capillary leakage,” Dr Sheeja Sugunan said.
“One critical stage is during the fall of the fever,” Dr Aravinda S N warned.
Key facts
- Dengue patients can enter a critical phase marked by plasma leakage after fever drops (newindianexpress.com)
- The critical phase often occurs between days three and seven of illness, commonly around day five (newindianexpress.com)
- Symptoms of the critical phase include postural giddiness, weakness, low blood pressure and reduced urine output (newindianexpress.com)
Sources
- [1] newindianexpress.com — originally reported as “Dengue: Fever down? Don’t lower your guard yet”
