A Case Of Dengue

Words: Dr Pallav THANAWALA

This eleven-year-old boy developed a slight cough after playing on open ground [August 5, 2023]. He may have possibly got just a little wet while playing. His cough increased two days later.

He was taken to his family physician who gave him some medicines. He developed fever [99-101⁰F], the next day. He was taken to another doctor. His paediatrician [August 10] prescribed him antibiotics and antivirals, along with an antipyretic. He suggested lab tests.

The boy’s dengue NS1 antigen was positive.

The boy’s fever fluctuated every two hours; it remained in the range of 99-101⁰F. It never touched baseline. The antipyretic had almost no effect.

His platelet counts were 2,76,000 [August 10], and 2,55,000 [August 11].

He consulted me on August 11.

His symptoms were: fever with occasional spells of shivering. Pain in the legs and abdomen.

I found on examination the following pointers:

• Temperature 99⁰F
• Palms and feet cold
• Throat: erythematous [redness]
• Appetite: reduced
• Taste: not altered, but with a longing to eating fried food
• Thirst: reduced.

There was also a desire to rest and sleep. The boy wanted his mother to be with him all the time — even while he was resting, or sleeping.

I began to analyse his totality of symptoms. The following were considered:

• Clinging, mother to
• Body warm; extremities cold [irregular distribution of heat]
• Thirst reduced
• Slow pace.

I prescribed him the homeopathic remedy, Pulsatilla 200C, every four hours, based on the above totality of symptoms.

Follow-up:

Temperature [August 12] at 12:30pm was 98⁰F; 5:30pm: 101⁰F; 8:30pm: 97⁰F.

After that, the temperature recorded was 98.4⁰F.

Pulsatilla was stopped [August 13].

Platelet count: 2,63,000.

Dengue NS1 Antigen [Rapid] was negative [August 16].

Now, the question. How could a few doses of Pulsatilla take care of the fever that the antipyretic could not? How could dengue NS1 Antigen [Rapid] become negative within two days of treatment with Pulsatilla?

The answer is simple: homeopathic individualisation. In other words, the choice of the most suitable homeopathic remedy that matched well with the patient’s totality of symptoms.

While fever may be a common symptom, the irregular distribution of heat was highly individualistic. While we obviously expect dehydration caused by pyrexia, reduction in thirst is individualistic. The mental state during the fever is of utmost importance in individualising too. The pace of the development of symptoms also helps to differentiate between closely related remedies.

So, there you are. Individualistic [personalised, or bespoke] homeopathic treatment not only helped to bring down the fever within 24 hours, but a positive dengue NS1 antigen [rapid] also became negative within 5-6 days.

While conventional treatment often focuses exclusively on physical symptoms, homeopathic treatment takes a holistic approach —  one that recognises the sublime interconnectedness of the mind and body. This isn’t all. The mental rubric [symptom] plays a vital role in homeopathic treatment to understanding the underlying causes and contributing factors of any illness, or disease — as this case exemplifies, no less.

Dr PALLAV THANAWALA, BHMS, MS [Psychotherapy & Counselling], Certified Psychometry Test Professional, and MBA [HR], has been practising homeopathy, based on classical homoeopathic principles, for 30 years. He uses psychometric tools to understand the patient and psychotherapy during counselling sessions. He has also published review articles and papers in homeopathic journals. He lives in Pune, India.