Young people with strong immunity most vulnerable to severe dengue: Dr Kataria

Dengue prevention requires more than vaccination, with doctors calling for public awareness, timely diagnosis and year-round mosquito control. At the India Today HealthWealth Summit 2026, experts highlighted the importance of community participation through initiatives such as Operation All Out.Prof. Dr. Sanjeev Bagai, Chairman of Nephron Clinic, and Dr. Sushila Kataria, Vice Chairperson, Department of Internal Medicine, Medanta, during the 'Operation All Out' session at the India Today HealthWealth Summit 2026.New Delhi,Oct 30, 2026 16:20 ISTDengue continues to be a major public health concern in India, with doctors warning that the infection can affect even otherwise healthy individuals and sometimes lead to serious complications within a short period. While vaccination offers an additional layer of protection, experts believe that preventing mosquito breeding, identifying symptoms early and improving public awareness remain essential to controlling the disease.Speaking during a session titled Operation All Out at the India Today HealthWealth Summit 2026, Prof. Dr Sanjeev Bagai, Chairman of Nephron Clinic and Senior Consultant Paediatrician and Nephrologist, and Dr Sushila Kataria, Vice Chairperson of the Department of Internal Medicine at Medanta, discussed dengue symptoms, treatment, vaccination, prevention and the importance of community participation.DENGUE CAN BECOME SERIOUS AS FEVER SUBSIDESDr Bagai explained that dengue progresses through different phases. The initial febrile phase is characterised by high fever, severe body ache, headache, pain behind the eyes, nausea and vomiting. Some patients may also experience diarrhoea.The next is the critical phase, which can begin when the fever starts coming down. This is an important period because platelet counts may fall and complications such as plasma leakage can develop. He cautioned people against assuming that a falling fever automatically means recovery. Severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, bleeding, lethargy and a sudden rise in haematocrit require immediate medical attention.The doctors also stressed that severe dengue is not restricted to people with existing health conditions. Even young and otherwise healthy individuals can develop complications.AVOID SELF-MEDICATION AND UNPROVEN HOME REMEDIES The experts advised people against taking antibiotics without medical advice, as dengue is a viral infection and antibiotics do not treat it.They also cautioned against using painkillers such as aspirin, ibuprofen and nimesulide during suspected dengue because these medicines can increase the risk of bleeding.Paracetamol is generally preferred for fever management, provided it is taken under appropriate medical guidance.The doctors also dismissed the widespread belief that papaya leaf juice, bitter gourd juice or goat's milk can increase platelet counts. They explained that platelet levels can fall naturally during dengue and generally recover during the convalescent phase.Patients should focus on adequate hydration, medical monitoring and rest instead of experimenting with unproven remedies. Unpasteurised animal milk should also be avoided because of the risk of infections such as brucellosis.DENGUE VACCINE IS AN ADDITIONAL LAYER OF PROTECTIONDiscussing dengue vaccination, the doctors said that vaccines could offer additional protection but should not be considered a complete solution.Dr Bagai raised concerns about the available clinical data, including the duration of protection, differences in efficacy across dengue serotypes and the need for further research on booster doses.Dr Kataria emphasised that vaccination must go hand in hand with mosquito-bite prevention and environmental cleanliness.The discussion also highlighted Qdenga, a dengue vaccine designed to cover all four dengue serotypes. The experts cautioned that vaccine protection is not identical against every serotype.India is also developing its own dengue vaccine through research supported by the Indian Council of Medical Research.OPERATION ALL OUT HIGHLIGHTS TO THE IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNITY PARTICIPATIONThe doctors discussed Operation All Out, a community awareness initiative undertaken in Panditpur village near Varanasi, which was identified as a dengue hotspot.The initiative involved public awareness, health education and efforts to control mosquito breeding, with support from a private company that adopted the village.The experts said similar initiatives are needed across India. They emphasised that every individual, company, doctor and media organisation has a role in spreading awareness about dengue prevention.MOSQUITO CONTROL MUST CONTINUE THROUGHOUT THE YEARThe doctors warned that dengue mosquitoes can breed in clean, stagnant water. Common breeding sites include flowerpot trays, discarded coconut shells, broken utensils, old tyres, disposable tea cups and decorative fountains.They urged households and residential welfare associations to regularly inspect rooftops, gardens, parks and common areas.People should wear full-sleeved clothes, use appropriate mosquito repellents and remove stagnant water from their surroundings. Children and elderly people need particular attention, especially when it comes to preventing mosquito bites and recognising symptoms early.The experts concluded that dengue prevention cannot be restricted to the monsoon season. It requires a 365-day approach involving individuals, communities and civic authorities. Their message was clear: vaccination can provide an additional layer of protection, but eliminating mosquito breeding and improving public awareness remain central to preventing dengue.Watch the HealthWealth Summit LIVE here: - Ends