NEW DELHI: With several hospitals in the Capital having received dengue patients whose cases had been spoilt by quacks, leading doctors have warned suspected dengue patients against getting treatment from quacks who are doing brisk business and making a fast buck while the panic is spreading.

The problem, leading medical practitioners insist, is on the rise. There are many quacks who are falsely diagnosing all fevers as dengue fever, and over-prescribing antibiotics and medicines that work towards reducing the blood platelet count. Moreover, these illegal practitioners have been asking patients to undertake unwanted medical tests and even "unlicensed" herbs and home remedies. There is no dearth of treatment plans prescribed by the quacks.

"The doctors can give proper treatment only when the patient comes to him. Also people should avoid taking aspirin and remember that every patient does not require blood platelet transfusion," says the Indian Medical Association secretary-general, Dr. Vinay Aggarwal.

Doctors add that though they get cases that have been spoilt by quacks all the year round, with the outbreak of any disease the quacks become over active. "With no records of the number of cases that are being spoilt by quacks, we never get a clear picture of the damage done. We need a more pro-active approach to tackle the problem," says Dean and Director Professor at Maulana Azad Medical College, Dr. A.K. Agarwal.

The Delhi Medical Council has issued a warning to all its members about the signs and symptoms to look out for to identify a dengue patient and has also issued instructions on the treatment procedure to be followed.

Delhi Medical Council member Dr. Anil Bansal is quite concerned about the prevailing situation. "The only rule that quacks follow is the age-old saying, `make hay while the sun shines'. There is a panic-like situation for the public and unqualified doctors are making money by falsely diagnosing all fevers as dengue fever. We are getting cases that have been spoilt by quacks."

On what needs to be done, Dr. Bansal says, "Patients should ensure that they go to a licensed doctor only. They should get a proper diagnosis and follow it up with adequate care and treatment. Dengue is not fatal in all cases and there is no prescribed treatment for dengue fever. We treat only the symptoms, but patients should ensure that they don't waste time by going to a quack."

Taking into account the large number of patients reporting with fever and the large number of quacks in the city -- estimated to be over 30,000 -- Dr. Bansal says: "We are not surprised that several patients go to these fake doctors for treatment. We are getting cases where patients come in with bleeding, internal haemorrhage and very low blood platelet count. They had been taking treatment from quacks and opted for an established medical set-up only when their condition deteriorated."

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