Mumbai: As Mumbai prepares for the monsoon season, healthcare experts are urging citizens to strengthen dengue prevention measures and seek timely medical advice in case of fever, body ache, headache, rash, vomiting, abdominal pain or unusual bleeding. With stagnant water becoming a key driver for mosquito breeding, experts emphasise that household-level prevention remains the most effective first line of defence against dengue.
Dengue, commonly known as "break-bone fever", is a rapidly spreading mosquito-borne viral infection caused by the dengue virus (DENV) and transmitted primarily by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, which typically bite during daylight hours. The disease is caused by four closely related viral serotypes—DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3 and DENV-4. While infection with one serotype provides lifelong immunity against that specific strain, subsequent infection with a different serotype can significantly increase the risk of severe dengue. Experts also note that dengue does not spread directly from person to person and follows a human-mosquito-human transmission cycle.
Dr. Kunal Sehgal, Director, Neuberg Sehgal Path Lab, Mumbai, said, "The main aim in dengue management should be prevention. People must avoid water collection in and around their homes, as this directly prevents mosquito breeding. At the same time, fever should not be ignored. Patients must watch for symptoms such as high-grade fever, severe headache, joint and muscle pain, rash, vomiting, abdominal discomfort or bleeding signs, and should undergo the correct tests at the right time instead of self-medicating or panicking over platelet counts alone."
Dr. Ashwini Kumar Singh, Consulting Pathologist/Lab Director, NM Medical, said, "Dengue remains a significant public health challenge during the monsoon season. Symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, joint and muscle pain, nausea, vomiting and rash should not be ignored. While there is no specific antiviral treatment for dengue, timely diagnosis, early medical intervention and preventive measures such as mosquito control and personal protection remain key to reducing complications and improving outcomes."
Symptoms typically appear 4–10 days after the bite of an infected mosquito and may include high fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, joint and muscle pain, nausea, vomiting and skin rash.
While many infections remain asymptomatic or mild, severe dengue can occur in approximately one in twenty symptomatic patients and represents a medical emergency. Severe dengue often develops 24 to 48 hours after the fever begins to subside, making close monitoring during this period critical. Warning signs such as persistent vomiting, severe abdominal pain, bleeding manifestations, breathing difficulty, extreme weakness or restlessness require immediate medical attention.
Dr. Ajay Shah, Managing Director, Neuberg Ajay Shah Laboratory, Mumbai, said, "Mumbai's dengue preparedness must be built around early diagnosis, timely clinical assessment and responsible monitoring. NS1 antigen and dengue antibody tests play an important role in confirming infection depending on the stage of illness. The focus should be on hydration, warning-sign monitoring and seeking appropriate medical care when required, rather than unnecessary panic over platelet counts alone."
Dengue can be confirmed through laboratory investigations such as NS1 antigen, PCR, and dengue antibody tests, depending on the stage of illness and clinical presentation.
There is currently no specific antiviral treatment available for dengue. Management is primarily supportive and focuses on adequate rest, maintaining hydration and controlling fever with paracetamol. Doctors advise against the use of aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), as they may increase the risk of bleeding complications.
Key Dengue Prevention Measures
• Encourage early diagnostic testing in suspected dengue cases, particularly within the first 1–5 days of symptom onset, using NS1 antigen or molecular testing for timely clinical intervention.
• Monitor platelet count, hematocrit levels, and warning signs such as persistent vomiting, mucosal bleeding, abdominal pain, lethargy, or fluid accumulation in patients with suspected dengue.
• Promote risk stratification and early referral of high-risk individuals, including children, elderly patients, pregnant women, and individuals with diabetes or cardiovascular disease.
• Strengthen fever surveillance and community-level screening during peak transmission periods to support early case identification and outbreak containment.
• Reinforce evidence-based clinical management protocols, including adequate oral hydration, fluid balance monitoring, and avoidance of unnecessary antibiotic use in viral febrile illnesses.
• Discourage the use of aspirin, ibuprofen, and other NSAIDs in suspected dengue patients due to the increased risk of bleeding complications.
While vaccines such as Qdenga and Dengvaxia are available in certain endemic regions under specific recommendations, experts stress that mosquito control, personal protection and community participation remain the most effective strategies to reduce dengue transmission.
Doctors emphasise that prevention, early diagnosis and timely medical care remain critical to reducing dengue-related complications across Mumbai during the monsoon season.
About Neuberg Diagnostics:
Neuberg Diagnostics, headquartered in Chennai, is one of India's leading diagnostic service providers, with a presence across India, UAE, South Africa, and the USA. With 200+ CAP and NABL-accredited laboratories, Neuberg has emerged as one of the fastest-growing and most trusted diagnostic chains in India.
The group offers over 6,000 varieties of pathological and radiological investigations and processes over 30 million tests annually. With a strong focus on advanced diagnostics, genomics, and personalized medicine, Neuberg is committed to delivering accurate, accessible, and science-led healthcare solutions across 250+ cities globally.
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