I was diagnosed with dengue on Saturday last week, the day I write my weekly article. I started writing in the morning but just could not keep going. I am not sure what I was more upset about, not being able to write my article (first week I have missed in 22 months!) or feeling ill.  I had been feeling off the 2 days prior and knew something was amiss. I promptly went to get a blood test on Saturday morning. The results, an hour later, held the story!

Dengue is a mosquito-borne disease that attacks the platelets in the blood. The platelets help our blood clot and a reduction in platelets disables the body’s ability to stop bleeding if injured. Not good. I have had dengue before, but this time was different.

It starts with a high fever. Mine did not last long and did not go very high. But the body feels beaten. No matter what you try, nothing works. It is a viral infection and therefore nothing can be done. I recently had covid too. I did not feel as beaten as I did with dengue. The best way I can describe it is that it feels like the body is shutting down. All vitals go haywire, blood pressure, heart rate, and temperature. I had a low-grade fever, and low blood pressure but a high heart rate. I usually have a low resting heart rate, but I just could not get it down.

But I write this article not to describe dengue but to talk about how much choice we have even in the toughest circumstances.

Although I did a blood test, I could not interpret it. I knew immediately that my body was fighting something, but I did not know what. I needed a doctor for that. [There is a hospital I go to near my home where I can walk in and ask for a blood test at their wellness centre without seeing a doctor}.

I have not seen a general practitioner (GP) in years. Malaysia does not have the concept of having a GP as a central point of contact. Luckily, I was to meet some of my friends and cousin on Saturday afternoon at my sister’s house and got my cousin to pick me up. I was not up for driving. Once there my sister took me to her GP and the GP took more blood and popped it in a covid-like test stick and diagnosed dengue then.

The GP was concerned. Although we knew there was nothing that could be done for dengue besides lots of fluids and rest, she was concerned that my white blood count was too low. Her thoughts were that I could faint at any time. She suggested hospitalisation. I was feeling weak and did not question her further. It struck me then that Markus, my husband, had dengue too a few weeks prior. We didn’t see a doctor. He was on a plane a week later to Europe!

In the Emergency room (ER) of a hospital near my sister’s home, the ER doctor had a completely different view. He looked at the same blood results and the referral letter from the GP and gave me completely different feedback. He told me the only reason I would faint is from the lack of food. My white blood count was not low enough for concern. He had seen lower white blood counts in dengue. AND he also mentioned that should I be hospitalised I would not be allowed home until my platelets started increasing. No one can predict that!

That was the moment I decided I did not need hospitalisation. He gave me a different perspective on my illness and a practical way to navigate it. He recommended increasing my water intake to 4 litres. I was doing 2 litres but had not realised I was still dehydrated. Dengue dehydrates and water is the answer. And because I had no other symptoms - vomiting, diarrhea, health issues such as hypertension or diabetes, the ER doctor said I should fight dengue well.

Equipped with that knowledge, my sister drove me back to her place and I started my water project. I stayed up through the night drinking water every half an hour! And it worked! My heart rate came down and I felt better! My body had started its healing process.

I strongly believe that our health is in our hands. A wise doctor once told me that doctors make educated guesses. No one knows for sure. Each body is different with an incredible power to heal.

Should you find yourself in a similar predicament in the future here are 3 things you can do:

1. Get a blood test; full blood count. It holds the story!

2. Always get a second opinion

3. YOU decide – no one else. Doctors give us options, we make choices.

It’s a Saturday morning as I write this. My platelets have been rising since Tuesday. It’s been a week and I am feeling myself again. What a difference a week makes!

Be well!

As always, you can reach me at yoga@yoganesadurai.com