Nelly Favis-Villafuerte Dengue fever is on the rise again. It has been reported that the Department of Health (DOH) declared a national dengue alert due to the fast increase of cases of dengue fever in several provinces. Indeed, the concern of the DOH for the alarming rapid spread of dengue fever in the provinces is justifiable. The DOH recorded no less than 115,966 cases of dengue fever from January 1 to July 6, 2019. This is double the number of cases (62,267) for the same period in 2018. It is high time to conduct a comprehensive study of indigenous natural plants of local origin, that are effective to treat dengue fever. Considering that dengue fever is caused by virus and therefore antibiotic vaccine or other specific medicine cannot treat the disease. Considering too that it is very expensive to be hospitalized in a private hospital. (Public hospitals are full of patients suspected to be suffering from dengue fever.) In one recent case, the teenage son of a house helper in the province who was confined to a private hospital for two days had a bill of over P14,000.00 due to the expensive antibiotics given to the boy. As a public service I am listing hereunder revealing information about dengue fever: (References: Pamphlets, books, Internet reports and news clippings)

• Do you know that dengue fever is contracted from the bite of an infected/striped day-biting Aedes aegypt and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes that have previously bitten an infected person. Many do not know that just a mosquito bite can inflict dengue fever. Also, dengue fever cannot be spread directly from one person to another person. But rather from one person-to-mosquito-to another person;
• Do you know that dengue fever is caused by a virus transmitted by the above-mentioned kinds of mosquitoes;
• Do you know that there is no known vaccine or antibiotic that can cure dengue fever; Rather, several treatments are only directed towards relief of the symptoms (symptomatic treatment);
• Do you know that symptoms of dengue fever include: Headache, fever, exhaustion, severe muscle and joint pain, swollen lymph nodes (lymphadenopathy), and rash. The presence of fever, itchy rash, and headache (the “dengue triad”) is characteristic of dengue. Other signs of dengue fever include bleeding gums, severe pain behind the eyes (retro-orbital), and red palms and soles.” (Reference:MedicineNet.https://www.medicinenet.com/dengue-_fever/article.htm);
• Do you know that the dengue virus is prevalent in the tropics;
• Do you know that the acute phase of the dengue illness with fever and muscle pain is about one to two weeks;
• Do you know that the severe type of dengue fever known as “dengue hemorrhagic has the following symptoms: Headache, fever, rash, and evidence of bleeding (hemorrage) in the body. Petechiae (small red spots or purple splotches or blisters under the skin), bleeding in the nose or gums, black stools or easy bruising are all possible signs of hemorrhage. This form of dengue fever can be life threatening and can progress to the most severe form of the illness, dengue shock syndrome.” (Reference:MedicineNet https://www.medicinenet.com/dengue_fever/article.htm);
• Do you know that there are countries that are already making comprehesive studies, researches, experiments exploring the possible use of plant-based, natural, alternative, remedies to treat dengue fever;
• Do you know that there are testimonies of miraculous healing of camote leaves to cure dengue fever. In one case, the afflicted children of my sister’s friends in the US just ate camote tops the night before; the next day, the platelet count rose to normal level – (an adult has a normal platelet count of about 150,000 to 450,000 platelets per microliter):
• Do you know that I used the “camote leaves” treatment for dengue fever some years ago with my nephew who had the symptoms of dengue fever (headache, recurring fever, rashes in the stomach and lack of appetite). Also, he had his blood test twice to find out if his red blood count was going down. Yes, his red blood count was decreasing. At this point, I was able to convince him to drink the blended juice of boiled camote leaves – after my sister – doctor who pratised medicine in US told me of the testimonials of the successful use of camote leaves as cure for dengue fever in US. My nephew drank at least one pitcher blended boiled camote leaves continously. The next day, my nephew went to the hospital again to check the status of his red blood count. At that time the rashes were disappearing and his headache and recurring fever were gone. Unbelievably, his red blood count level went up and normalized. My nephew was cured of dengue fever after one and one half days of drinking blended boiled camote leaves juice. My nephew continued taking one pitcher of the camote juice for two more days. I also shared the camote treatment to three other friends. Like in the case of my nephew – the camote juice treatment worked! Do you know that aside from juice of camote leaves there are other reported natural remedies for dengue fever which include papaya leaf extracts. Papaya leaf extracts increase the platelet count of a patient with dengue fever. Also, basil leaves (Chewing at lease 5-6 basil leaves) and orange juice are reported also as cures for dengue fever.
• Do you know that it is important to drink a lot of water if one is suspected of having dengue fever to prevent dehydration. Staying hydrated definitely reduces the symptoms of headache and fever.

Finally, it is high time that the DOST (Department of Science and Technology), the DOH (Department of Health), DA (Department of Agriculture) and DTI (Department of Trade and Industry) form a working committee to prepare a comprehensive study, research, compilation of testimonials and to identify the natural plants (all locally grown in the Philippines) that can be used to treat dengue fever. Have a joyful day! (For comments/reactions please send to Ms. Villafuerte’s email: [email protected])