Mumbai boy tests +ve for malaria, lepto & dengue together, dies | Mumbai News – Times of India

MUMBAI: In a rare case, doctors at the civic-run BYL Nair Hospital recently treated a 14-year-old boy from Kurla who was simultaneously infected with all three monsoon ailments-dengue, malaria and leptospirosis-and despite their best efforts, succumbed to the complications.
The teenager, residing in Kurla (west), initially sought medical attention at Kasturba Hospital on August 14 with fever and jaundice. His medical history revealed he had sought treatment from a local faith healer for nearly a week before coming to the hospital. At Kasturba, a dengue NS1 test came positive, as did a malaria test. To the surprise of the medical team, an additional test confirmed he also had leptospirosis.
As his creatinine levels rose and he developed breathing difficulties, he was shiftd to Nair Hospital in Mumbai Central, where he succumbed in ICU.
Delay in treatment may’ve cost boy’s life, says doctor
A 14-year-old Kurla boy, who tested positive for malaria, dengue and leptospirosis, developed severe lung complications, leading to acute respiratory distress. Despite being placed on a ventilator in BYL Nair Hospital, he passed away in three days.
Dr Girish Rajadhyaksha, professor and unit head of medicine, said they not only tried to manage his raging symptoms and multi-organ failure but also initiated treatment to combat the infections.
“Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection that can affect anyone who has waded through waterlogged areas while both dengue and malaria are transmitted through mosquito bites and are currently prevalent in the city. It’s not impossible to be infected by all three simultaneously, but it is an extremely rare occurrence,” said Dr Rajadhyaksha, who said he has encountered only 2-3 cases of such concurrent triple infections in his entire career.
The doctor said he could have been saved if medical help had been sought a bit earlier. “There is a possibility he had other autoimmune conditions that we aren’t aware of,” he added.
City doctors said while cases of leptospirosis are relatively less now, dengue and malaria are surging. BMC statistics released on Tuesday showed a rise in both malaria and dengue cases in August. There were 959 reported cases of malaria, an increase from 721 in July and 676 in June. Similarly, dengue cases rose to 742, from 685 in July and 353 in June. Leptospirosis cases have dropped from 413 in July to 265 in August.
Physician Dr Hemant Thacker said while malaria cases are largely mild, it is dengue where platelet count is crawling while on its way up. “But overall severity and complications have been like any other year,” he said.
Majority of monsoon-related admissions are for dengue now.