Comm Arts
Comm Arts
Comm Arts
Aedes
albopictus. (Both types are found in the Philippines.) Although it has not yet made
the list of the 10 most common causes of death in the Philippines, dengue is a
major public health problem in the Philippines. Among Asian and Pacific countries,
according to World Health Organization (WHO) data, the Philippines racked up the
highest number of reported dengue cases, numbering 37,895 as of 2013, with
740 infections reported per week, resulting in 172 deaths (so far).
Fortunately, this viral disease is usually self-limited and usually adequate
hydration and pain control will help the person through the infection. However,
for dengue fever, a caution is given by most clinicians in home treatment.
Nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory
agents
(for
hemorrhage
symptoms.
Other
medications
such
asacetaminophen (Tylenol), codeine, or other agents that are not NSAIDs may be
used.More severe variations of dengue fever (hemorrhagic and shock syndrome)
usually require additional supportive treatments; these patients often require
hospitalization. IV hydration, blood transfusions, platelet transfusions, blood
pressure support, and other intensive-care measures may need to be utilized in
these patients. Consultation with infectious-disease and critical-care specialists is
often advised to optimize patient care.
( Mary Nettleman, MD, MS, MACP, 2014)
There is no definitive treatment from modern medicine available, it is not
surprising that many have turned to alternative therapies for relief. The following
are some Herbal Medicine that helps in curing Dengue Fever:
1. Papaya leaf juice
This is probably the most well-known alternative treatment for dengue. Several
small scientific studies have been carried out in dengue-endemic countries like
India and Malaysia, looking into the efficacy of this herbal remedy. While the
results cannot be said to be definitive, due to their small study size, they are
certainly promising. The main effect of this juice lies in raising the level of
platelets in dengue patients a critical aspect of this viral infection.
2. Tawa-tawa
This hairy herb is commonly used in the Philippines as an alternative treatment
for dengue fever. Also known as gatas-gatas or by its scientific name Euphorbia
hirta, it is said to increase the platelet levels in dengue patients.
A 2012 animal study conducted by pharmacy students from the University of
Santo Tomas, Manila, showed that a decoction of tawa-tawa did indeed increase
platelet levels and decrease bleeding time in rats with induced thrombocytopenia
(i.e. an abnormally low platelet level).
The Philippines Department of Science and Technology is currently researching
the effect of this plant on dengue fever, and have stated their concern over
possible toxicity resulting from overdosing on tawa-tawa.
Meanwhile, Philippine Star columnist Dr Willie T Ong said in a 2009 article that
Filipino doctors in general allow dengue patients to take tawa-tawa as long as
they clear it with them first.
There is no specific treatment for dengue fever. You will need fluids if there are
signs of dehydration. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is used to treat a high fever.
Acetaminophen belongs to a class of drugs called analgesics (pain relievers) and
antipyretics (fever reducers). (Marks, 2013) But then this medicine can cause
several side effects when misuse, so better before taking this medicine, asks your
doctor first.
There is no cure for dengue, nor is there any vaccine for it, although there are
several research teams currently working on one. The main method of controlling
this disease is via prevention; for example, ensuring that there is no stagnant
water or any container where water can pool in around, fogging, using mosquito
nets and repellent, and covering up or staying indoors at dawn and dusk when
the Aedes mosquitoes are most active. (Chin, 2014)
METHODOLOGY
The research is a descriptive research design/method, also known
as the survey or normative approach wherein it involves the use of
questionnaires. This is essentially a technique of quantitative description of the
general characteristics of the group, an approach identifying answers in
questions as to real facts relating to certain conditions. The respondents were
gathered randomly getting 20 respondents in each 5 barangay in Talisay
Batangas.
20
80
21
28
Herbal Medicine
51
Pharmaceutical Drugs
Either
Safe
2
Cheap
suggested by family
Table 3.
Table 4.
10
12
14
20
18
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
I Dont Know
More Effective
Table 6.
Table 7.
20
18
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
Not Sure of Effectiveness
Table 8.
Not Reliable
Reliable
More Effective
Prescribed
0
10
15
20
25
30
Table 7.
None
Side Effects
Expensive
0
INTERPRETATIONS
10
20
30
40
50
60
SUMMARY
Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral infection causing a severe flu-like
illness and, sometimes causing a potentially lethal complication called severe
dengue. There are four different viruses that can cause dengue fever, all of which
spread by a certain type of mosquito. Because there is no definitive treatment
from modern medicine available; it is not surprising that many have turned to
alternative therapies for relief. The significance of this survey research is to give
the readers a clear vision of preference on which medication is more effective in
treating dengue fever disadvantages and advantages of what they are using and
other trends in curing dengue. The objectives of the researchers are to
distinguish which is more effective between Herbal Medicine and Pharmaceutical
Drugs for Dengue Fever, identify the reasons why they prefer it and to be able to
determine the number of people using Herbal Medicine and Pharmaceutical
Drugs.
Based on the survey we gathered, 80% from the 100 respondents suffered from
dengue. Few of them used herbal medicines because of their main reason and its
advantage which is it is cheaper than the other. Some of them used both herbal
and pharmaceutical drugs because of the influence of the family and said to be
for fast recovery. The results also showed that most of them used pharmaceutical
drugs mainly because it is prescribed and proven and tested.
The results indicated that pharmaceutical drugs are more effective than herbal
medicine.
CONCLUSION
From the determined findings derived from this study the following
conclusion were drawn: