Every year, following the monsoon, hospitals and clinics across the country witness a surge in patients presenting with high fever, fatigue, and weakness. Most of these cases are attributed to mosquito-borne
illnesses such as dengue, malaria, and occasionally chikungunya. While the common focus of patients and families remains on controlling fever, medical experts warn that the visible symptom masks a far more insidious threat: dehydration and electrolyte imbalance.
According to Dr Manoj Chawla, a consultant diabetologist, the real danger in these illnesses is not the fever itself but the body’s loss of water and essential salts – sodium, potassium, and chloride – often unnoticed until it leads to complications. “Many patients may not experience vomiting or diarrhea, yet their bodies suffer from significant fluid and salt deficiency,” Dr Chawla said, adding, “Family members tend to concentrate solely on reducing fever, while the patient’s internal imbalance silently worsens, sometimes resulting in hospitalisation.”
Why Dehydration Occurs
Dr Chawla explained that the mechanism differs slightly across these illnesses. In dengue, fever and fatigue cause fluids to leak from the bloodstream, leaving the body vulnerable. Patients often appear to improve once the fever subsides, but the risk of low blood pressure and shock increases during this critical phase. In malaria, repeated cycles of fever, sweating, and shivering deplete both water and salts. Chikungunya, on the other hand, can cause prolonged weakness and poor appetite, further aggravating dehydration.
Recognising The Warning Signs
Post-fever fatigue, dizziness, and low blood pressure are often dismissed as normal after-effects of infection. Experts caution that in children and the elderly, these symptoms can signal serious dehydration and require prompt intervention.
Why Water Alone Is Not Enough
While fluid intake is crucial, plain water cannot restore the balance of salts and energy lost during fever. Simple remedies like lemon water or homemade glucose drinks may offer limited benefit, but often fail to provide the correct electrolyte composition. “The key is to replenish the body in a scientifically balanced manner with water, electrolytes, and energy,” Dr Chawla stressed.
Recovery Advice
Dr Chawla advises that patient care should prioritise complete recovery rather than merely reducing fever. He recommends electrolyte-rich fluids such as coconut water, buttermilk, lemon water, and fresh fruit juices like pomegranate and watermelon. “Just as WHO-ORS is standard for diarrhoeal diseases, scientifically prepared electrolyte solutions should become standard practice for fevers caused by dengue, malaria, and chikungunya,” he said.
He emphasised that while fever is an obvious symptom, dehydration is the hidden danger. Addressing it effectively, he said, can reduce complications, prevent hospitalisation, and accelerate recovery. “Fatigue and weakness are not just consequences of fever, they reflect the body’s loss of essential nutrients and fluids,” Dr Chawla added.
