Conclusion
From the results and discussion detailed in previous chapters, the following overall conclusions
can be made:
•• Intravenous rehydration forms the mainstay of treatment in severe dengue infection
due to plasma leakage.
•• Isotonic intravenous fluids should be the first choice of treatment and colloid fluids
should be reserved for cases not responding to isotonic fluid rehydration.
•• Research is urgently needed for intravenous rehydration in adults, dengue in pregnancy,
co-morbidities and other risk populations.
•• Research is urgently needed in dengue-affected areas with few available studies,
notably in Latin America and the Caribbean.
However, it has to be considered that training on how to use intravenous rehydration
may be the key to good outcomes, far more important than the type of fluids used.