10 steps guide for speedy recovery from dengue
Tested positive for dengue? Doctors are busy doing their job but what do you have to do now? Just chill and carefully follow this step-by-step guide to recover quickly even if you have been hospitalised.
1. Start your day with a fruit: Even if you don’t feel like eating anything, you should start your day with fresh fruits as they supply energy and help you kick-start your day. And since you haven’t had anything the whole night, eating fruits like sweet lime, apple, etc. rather than drinking fruits juice is recommended.
2. Eat easy-to-digest food for breakfast: For breakfast, include foods like poha, upma or idli that are easy to digest yet nutritious. The key to recover quickly is to eat whatever you wish to, as unless your platelet count increases you won’t get out of the hospital.
3. Take medications on time: Whether you like it or not, medications as prescribed by your doctor should be taken on time. However, check all the medicines for expiry date and also ask your doctor about each and every medicine that is prescribed and its purpose.
4. Eat small frequent meals: It is obvious that you feel weak even after you are discharged and hence, make sure you eat small yet frequent meals to keep you full. As you are still on medications, it is important to fill your stomach to fight the dengue virus and prevent a relapse.
5. Stay hydrated: If drinking water all day long is not your cup of tea, then you can try coconut water, homemade fruit juices or sugar and salt water for prevent dehydration. Also, make sure you take a sip of water every few hours to avoid dryness of mouth and flush out toxins from the body.
6. Avoid junk food: After all the bland food that you have been eating all those days, you might feel like eating those chips or spicy food like samosas. But drop this idea as your body is still fighting the disease and your immunity is low, increasing your chances of recurrence and poor recovery. Instead, snack on dry fruits like raisins and dates.
7. Eat your dinner before 8: It is wise to eat your dinner at around 8 in the night as you have to take your medicines. Also, you have sufficient time between your dinner and sleep so that the food you eat gets digested easily avoiding stomach complications (if any).
8. Go for healthy options: Most people tend to suffer from constipation due to the numerous medications that they have to take during the course. And to deal with it, the only way is to eat foods rich in fibre and drink soups or kanji (instead of tea or coffee).
9. Take sufficient rest: You might feel weak for few days and thus, it is advised to take sufficient rest. Avoid straining yourself or exercising for few days as it might further worsen your condition. And don’t forget to take your medications before hitting bed.
10. Don’t forget to follow-up: Once you have completed your course of medications, ensure to visit your doctor for follow-up (even if you are completely fine). And in case a blood test is advised, please do it as there is a high chance of recurrence.
