As the number of mosquito-borne diseases and viral fevers continues to rise, health authorities are urging the public to consult a qualified doctor promptly if a fever persists for more than two days.
Specialist Dr. Achala Balasuriya cautioned against self-treatment, emphasizing the dangers of managing prolonged fever at home without proper medical guidance. “Many people assume it’s a simple viral fever, but serious illnesses like dengue or chikungunya often begin with similar symptoms,” she warned.
Dr. Balasuriya also advised against the unsupervised use of aspirin or other over-the-counter painkillers, which may not be safe in all fever cases. “If fever is accompanied by fatigue, skin sensitivity, or joint pain, individuals should immediately visit a hospital or clinic for a thorough evaluation,” she added.
She noted a marked rise in chikungunya cases in recent weeks. “One of the key characteristics of chikungunya is that joint pain often persists for at least a month even after the fever subsides,” she explained. The primary symptoms include sudden high fever, severe joint and muscle pain, headaches, nausea, fatigue, and skin rashes.
While most chikungunya patients recover within a week, lingering joint pain can affect older patients for months or even years, Dr. Balasuriya said.
Reiterating the importance of timely diagnosis, she added that common viral fevers with similar symptoms are also widespread at present, making it essential to distinguish between them through medical consultation.
Since January, Sri Lanka has recorded over 17,000 dengue cases and more than 16,600 chikungunya infections. Notably, over 50 percent of dengue cases have been reported from the Western Province—an alarming trend that has garnered the attention of health authorities.
