USVI-On-Line

First posted on another thread, I consider a reminder to be aware of this illness to be important enough to post again.

PSUWethr wrote:Apparently there is a new strain on hemmoragic dengue fever. I know of one Coral Bay resident who had to be airlined out to Florida to be treated for this last week. Thank goodness he beat it, but it is really horrible. It makes you blled internally and can kill you within 5 days of the onset of symptoms. My advice is to USE BUG SPRAY....I prefer the higher DEET in the islands even though I know it isn't the best for you.....but then again neither is dengue!

Over the past few days I have seen several references on boards and blogs to increased reports of Hemorrhagic Dengue Fever in the US Virgin Islands, as well as other islands of the Caribbean. This seems to be a very good time to practice diligent bite prevention, to know the symptoms of this fever, and to seek medical attention if those symptoms occur.

http://www.healthvi.org/dengue/treatment.html

Enjoy your vacation and stay healthy!

Thanks for the reminder..good to know, and prayers to the family of the woman who died as a result of this.

This is a very serious problem currently -- do not ignore the symptoms, do not get dehydrated if you have any fever and definitely seek medical advice sooner rather than later - I know of at least a dozen people here that have spent days in the hospital with very low blood platelet counts in the last 2 months as a result of Dengue - Puerto Rico has had record Dengue numbers this summer and that has also created a platelet supply problem here - Please do not self diagnose - seek a medical opinion and a blood test.

Are they able to confirm Dengue with a blood test, and can they do that test on STJ?

bnsilly wrote:Are they able to confirm Dengue with a blood test, and can they do that test on STJ?

I was hoping that someone affiliated with health care on St John might answer your question with certainty as I can not.

Definitive diagnosis is through lab tests (blood) which may or may not be available on St John. However, I would expect that a complete blood count with attention to platelets, hematocrit, and white cell counts is commonly done there.


This week I have seen quotes (that I can not verify) from a health care provider on St John saying:

"There is a very BAD form of Dengue here and it has been here for months. I strongly advise anyone with flu like symptoms: fever, headache, rash, muscle pain.....go directly to seek medical help and get a complete blood count including platelets."

Today I learned of a St John resident who has been in the states for about a week on vacation and has been diagnosed with Hemorrhagic Dengue Fever.

The incubation period for dengue is roughly 3 to 14 days. If you have been in the islands, may have been bitten by mosquitoes, and have flu-like symptoms after you return home, please see your health care provider to rule out this nasty illness. Healthy or sick... stay hydrated, especially important if sick with this virus.

This is really nasty. Obviously, its a killer. My sweetie has compromised platlets and WBC production and this is the deal-breaker.

There is no way we'll be headed for the islands anytime soon. Not till this calms way down. Take care down there!

There is a blood test to test for antibodies to Dengue. The test I am familiar with tests for 4 types of antibodies. The problem being that you are not going to create antibodies until about 6 days out from onset of symptoms. The test is not widely available either. I'm not sure what the capabilities of a lab in the VI would be. I'm thinking it would have to be sent to the US. With that said from what I have read patients are being diagnosed based on clinical observations and a Complete blood count. Platelets are not available on STT or STJ they have to come from PR and platelets are vital to treatment. This is definetly very serious and I agree with your decision ClevelandDave. I am hoping this is resolved soon and that no more lose there lives.