Dengue Fever and Post-Dengue Syndrome

[PaDavid]

 

I’m 78, living in Loei Province, and had dengue last year. This year I developed fibromyalgia, dysphagia, and pulmonary fibrosis. The first causes generalised pain and immobility throughout the body, the second difficulty in swallowing, and the third scarring in lung tissue. I’ve become convinced that this year’s events have come about as a result of last year’s dengue.

 

I’ve carried out some research and discovered there is a condition known as Post-Dengue Syndrome (PDS). It seems that symptoms are widely variable and that little scientific or medical research has been carried out into it. I can find nothing to indicate that any of the major medical institutions in USA or Europe have studied it. There are no Facebook groups dedicated to it and few related specifically to dengue itself.

 

I would be interested to hear from anyone who’s had dengue (confirmed by a blood test), particularly those who have experienced new symptoms in the months following on from it. I would also love to hear from doctors and pharmacists to provide specialist advice. Maybe if there are enough of us we can start looking into Post-Dengue Syndrome a bit more thoroughly, and possibly persuade Big Pharma to take an interest. 
 

[Mutt Daeng]

Did the Doctor who diagnosed fibromyalgia, dysphagia, and pulmonary fibrosis not give you his opinion as to what caused your current ailments?

[IC2000]

I have had dengue twice. First time I spent a few days in the hospital. The second time I knew exactly what it was and how to care for myself so I didn't bother. Both times I felt like absolute crap for a month thereafter. The second month I progressively felt better and probably by the end of 60 days I felt restored. I was no older than 47 at the time. I hope this helps but I kind of doubt it. Good luck with your journey

[Sheryl]

On 11/1/2024 at 10:17 AM, PaDavid said:

 

I’m 78, living in Loei Province, and had dengue last year. This year I developed fibromyalgia, dysphagia, and pulmonary fibrosis. The first causes generalised pain and immobility throughout the body, the second difficulty in swallowing, and the third scarring in lung tissue. I’ve become convinced that this year’s events have come about as a result of last year’s dengue.

 

I’ve carried out some research and discovered there is a condition known as Post-Dengue Syndrome (PDS). It seems that symptoms are widely variable and that little scientific or medical research has been carried out into it. I can find nothing to indicate that any of the major medical institutions in USA or Europe have studied it. There are no Facebook groups dedicated to it and few related specifically to dengue itself.

 

I would be interested to hear from anyone who’s had dengue (confirmed by a blood test), particularly those who have experienced new symptoms in the months following on from it. I would also love to hear from doctors and pharmacists to provide specialist advice. Maybe if there are enough of us we can start looking into Post-Dengue Syndrome a bit more thoroughly, and possibly persuade Big Pharma to take an interest. 
 

 

It is normal to feel run down for months after dengue, and this is what is usually meant by Post Dengue Syndrome. However  sounds like your situation involves more than that.

 

The onset and/or flare-ups of Fibromylagia is often preceded by a viral infection. Many different  viral infection have been so linked and, as the mechanism is probably related to the immune response, the specific virus is not that significant. No reason to think Fibromyalgia onset after Dengue is any different than after Epstein-Barr etc.

 

Dysphagia is a symptom, not a disease. What is the cause of your dysphagia?

 

I have never heard of any linkage between pulmonary fibrosis and dengue.

 

That is an odd assortment of diagnoses you seem to have (Fibromylagia, pulmonary fibrosis etc). Where, by whom and how where these diagnoses made? Especially the pulmonary fibrosis? Are you a smoker? How old are you?

 

 

[PaDavid]

On 11/1/2024 at 7:00 PM, Mutt Daeng said:

Did the Doctor who diagnosed fibromyalgia, dysphagia, and pulmonary fibrosis not give you his opinion as to what caused your current ailments?

Unfortunately I’ve been involved with a chain of doctors - at Srinagarind Hospital, Khon Kaen University. At the pain clinic the doctor suggested I must have suffered an infection of some sort, but she doubted it was dengue. 

[PaDavid]

On 11/5/2024 at 1:10 PM, Sheryl said:

 

It is normal to feel run down for months after dengue, and this is what is usually meant by Post Dengue Syndrome. However  sounds like your situation involves more than that.

 

The onset and/or flare-ups of Fibromylagia is often preceded by a viral infection. Many different  viral infection have been so linked and, as the mechanism is probably related to the immune response, the specific virus is not that significant. No reason to think Fibromyalgia onset after Dengue is any different than after Epstein-Barr etc.

 

Dysphagia is a symptom, not a disease. What is the cause of your dysphagia?

 

I have never heard of any linkage between pulmonary fibrosis and dengue.

 

That is an odd assortment of diagnoses you seem to have (Fibromylagia, pulmonary fibrosis etc). Where, by whom and how where these diagnoses made? Especially the pulmonary fibrosis? Are you a smoker? How old are you?

As I mentioned in the post, I’m 78 though I’ve kept myself fit and relatively trim through regular cycling. 
 

After the initial symptoms of dengue passed I came down with a chest infection.  Shortly after I managed to shake that one off I came down with another, then another on new year’s eve 2023. At the end of January 24 I started suffering a sharp pain in my abdomen. Shortly after that came aches and pains in my shoulders and hips. A couple of months after this I started having difficulty swallowing which affected my breathing and I spent 2 nights in hospital on oxygen. 
 

I attended Srinagarind Khon Kaen University Hospital. Initially, I was diagnosed with suspected bowel cancer, then gallstones. Over the course of several months and various doctors, I was given the diagnoses mentioned in my post. I also had anterior cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome which I didn’t mention in my post because it appears this was caused by me stretching to cut down a hand of bananas from a tree, and was unlikely to have been caused by an infection. However it was extremely painful, though I’m now in remission following alcohol injections into the nerve where it exits the spinal cord at T5 & T6. 
 

I used to smoke and I’ve had mild COPD for many years. However, for the past 5 years or so, I’ve been having regular check ups (including chest x-rays) and fibrosis has never been previously detected. It just seems to me that everything (except acnes) can be traced back to dengue. 

 

 

[PaDavid]

Just now, PaDavid said:

 

Sorry, I should have said thank you for your interest. I’ve tried to précis down the many hospital appointments, over about 6 months, with doctors of various specialisations.

 

David

[Sheryl]

The fibrosis would be down to  your past smoking  and then the recent chest infections. Not dengue per se,  though run down condition post dengue might have made you even more susceptible to a chest infection, (something COPD already put you at risk for). 

 

Fibrosis in early stages cannot be seen on Xray. And symptoms are similar to COPD.  

 

Dysohagia alone  would not have necessitated oxygen. More likely the  sensation of dysphagia was coincident. Reflux (common cause of dydphasia) frequently accompanies pulmonary fibrosis, which can cause hypoxia. 

 

 

[PaDavid]

9 hours ago, Sheryl said:

The fibrosis would be down to  your past smoking  and then the recent chest infections. Not dengue per se,  though run down condition post dengue might have made you even more susceptible to a chest infection, (something COPD already put you at risk for). 

 

Fibrosis in early stages cannot be seen on Xray. And symptoms are similar to COPD.  

 

Dysohagia alone  would not have necessitated oxygen. More likely the  sensation of dysphagia was coincident. Reflux (common cause of dydphasia) frequently accompanies pulmonary fibrosis, which can cause hypoxia. 

 

Thank you once again, Sheryl. 
 

As it seems my conditions were not primarily caused by dengue, I’ll stop trying to investigate the link. I’m happy to report that I’m now back to 90% of where I was a year ago. I’ve started cycling 25km again most days, so, at the moment, the fibrosis is not having a significant impact on my daily life.

Incidentally, I forgot to mention my weight dropped from 85kg to 73kg in one 4 week period in May. It’s now 82.