Dr. Marvin Manzanero: Seek Medical Attention to Avoid Critical Situations

Marvin Manzanero

As we reported earlier this week, Stann Creek is showing the second highest rate of dengue infections in the country. A total of one thousand nine hundred clinically confirmed cases of the disease have been determined, primarily in the youth population, and the number continues to climb. DHS Marvin Manzanero says that residents need to remain vigilant and access healthcare earlier rather than later.

Dr. Marvin Manzanero, Director of Health Services

“Southern Health Region still remains the facility that is getting more cases; the numbers in terms of hospitalizations have gone down in the western and northern health region—we haven’t seen those numbers; we only have those for southern health region. We are still doing training with the staff in this regard. This would be, if we do have the confirmation, the third death that would be associated to dengue or is, even if you don’t confirmed, it is associated to dengue. Beyond the breeding sites, which is primary prevention, I think it is also being able to determine at which point in time you seek medical attention. If you have underlying diseases; diabetes, hypertension, obesity, older folks, younger children and you are bringing them rather late into the disease, that makes it more complicated because I think people are aware that there is no specific treatment; it is a virus. So it is really supportive treatment.  You also have to look at whether people are medicating. People still I think are using medications relating to anti-inflammatory medications; the more common ones: naproxen, diclofenac, baby aspirin. Those are not really used in dengue. It is really paracetamol, acetaminophen that should be used initially. And if patient is not improving they need to seek medical attention that you avoid these particular situations.”