How a doctor treats dengue, his own way

MANILA, Philippines - Dengue is deadly if not treated early. But its treatment varies, depending on the doctor’s own medication. One Filipino doctor has been treating dengue since 1994 using his own regimen of medications, which can be taken at home even without being hospitalized.

Dr. Clemente I. Alcala Jr., municipal health officer of Candelaria, Quezon, said he has been solving the dengue problems of his community by giving his patients a new regimen of medicines that can treat dengue.

Dengue is a tropical disease caused by the dengue virus. Its symptoms include fever, headache, muscle and joint pains, and skin rash. It may be life-threatening when it develops into hemorrhagic fever, resulting in bleeding due to low levels of blood platelets. It is transmitted by A. aegypti and A. albopictus mosquitoes which belong to the Aedes genus.

Dr. Alcala said dengue can be treated as early as the second day of fever by giving patients analgesics-antipyretic to lower fever and lessen muscle and joint pains, antibiotics prophylactic to prevent bacterial infection and lowering of resistance, and a dose of vitamin C to strengthen the body’s level of resistance. Along with these medications, he gives an immuno-enhancer and, at the same time, an anti-viral drug which carries the generic name methisoprinol.

The good doctor has treated many patients in Candelaria by giving such regimen, providing them with a cure even at home. “Not all families can afford hospitalization costs, more so, loss of loved ones,” he said. “We have to focus on fighting the dengue virus now. We have several outbreaks already. I believe there are even stronger strains of the dengue virus. And this regimen can help many Filipinos prevent deaths.”

Along with other medicines, he also uses methisoprinol for the treatment of chicken pox, hepatitis, mumps, and German measles.

With the successful treatment of dengue using methisoprinol, Dr. Alcala is looking forward to starting a clinical trial to document the effects of methisoprinol in dengue cases in Candelaria, Quezon. He hopes the documentation of his findings would reach Health Secretary Enrique Ona and his regimen would become the standard in treating dengue in the country to avoid hospital expenses and prevent deaths.

Dengue cases in the Philippines have risen, causing deaths of Filipinos, mostly children. In September 2010, the DoH said there were 84,000 reported dengue cases, with 543 deaths, which is more than 100-percent higher than the data collected from 2009.

Methisoprinol is a synthetic purine derivative with both immunomodulating and antiviral properties. It is registered for the treatment of acute and chronic viral infections. It acts on the immune system to restore impaired cell-mediated response to baseline as well as enhancing the humoral response and has an indirect antiviral activity.

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The above story is based on the testimony of Dr. Clemente Alcala’s own clinical experience and is not currently supported by any chemical studies/trials that would prove the efficacy of such treatment methods.