Bengaluru : Dengue-Like Illnesses In Kids Rising & Worrisome, Say Doctors

City hospitals are witnessing a worrying rise in cases of dengue-like illnesses (DLI) among children, leaving both doctors and parents searching for answers. While many children test negative for dengue, they exhibit nearly identical symptoms — high fever, severe body aches, and fatigue.

Dr Vishal V Jali, consultant paediatrician, Motherhood Hospitals, said DLI mimics many symptoms of dengue, but is caused by other viral infections.

“It results in high-grade fever, often lasting 3-4 days, accompanied by a maculopa pular rash, which is common in dengue, but can also appear in viral infections like chikungunya or enterovirus,” he explained.
“We see 10-20 new cases of DLI weekly, with about 40% requiring hospitalisation due to severe dehydration, high fever, vomiting, and the inability to maintain fluid intake. In some cases, DLI can also mimic severe dengue symptoms such as rapid breathing, severe abdominal pain, and altered mental status, which necessitates close monitoring,” Dr Jali said.

The challenge, he emphasised, is the similarity in symptoms, which makes diagnosis tricky, delaying treatment and increasing chan ces of complications. In severe cases, children may even have mild bleeding, like petechiae or gum bleeding.

Doctors say that children can be infected with multiple pathogens — viral, bacterial or parasitic simultaneously, which can complicate symptoms and diagnosis. Lingering symptoms is another trait of DLI. Improper self-medication complicates things further, say doctors. “Often, patients panic and take painkillers without consulting a doctor, which can exacerbate DLI. Even with mild symptoms, consult a doctor for early diagnosis and treatment to avoid complications. Staying hydrated is also crucial for a smooth recovery,” said Dr Shaikh Mohammed Aslam, consultant in internal medicine at Ramaiah Memorial Hospital.

Source : The Times of India