INTRODUCTION

Dengue is fast emerging pandemic-prone viral disease in many parts of

the world. Dengue flourishes in urban poor areas, suburbs and the countryside
but also affects more affluent neighborhoods in tropical and subtropical
countries.
Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral infection causing a severe flu-like
illness and, sometimes causing a potentially lethal complication called severe
dengue. The incidence of dengue has increased 30-fold over the last 50 years.
Up to 50-100 million infections are now estimated to occur annually in over
100 endemic countries, putting almost half of the worlds population at risk.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The significance of this survey research is to give the readers a clear
vision of preference on which medication is more effective in treating dengue
fever. This research also provides information about the disadvantages and
advantages of pharmaceutical Drugs and Herbal Medicines that can help the
readers in their predilection. In addition to, using this research the respondents
will provide ideas about the trends in curing dengue

OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

This survey research aims for the following objectives:
1. To distinguish which is more effective between Herbal Medicine and
Pharmaceutical Drugs for Dengue Fever.
2. To identify the reasons why they prefer Herbal Medicine and
Pharmaceutical Drugs.
3. To be able to determine the number of people using Herbal Medicine and
Pharmaceutical Drugs.

SCOPE AND LIMITATION

The scope of this study limits to survey within five Barangays in Talisay,
Batangas. There are 20 respondents per Barangay with the total of 100
respondents. The surveys limitation is about what treatment is more effective
in treating dengue fever, the advantage and disadvantages of using herbal and
pharmaceutical drugs and their reasons why they chose it.

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

Dengue season is upon us, what with the onset of the rainy season. This is
because the rains and floods create stagnant pools of water where mosquitoes
bearing the dengue-causing organism breed. But in truth, as the Department of
Health says, dengue is a year-round threat, since many households still harbor
locations and containers where water may collectdrums, pails, tires, ponds,
fountains, gutters, even vaseswhich even at the height of summer may host
mosquito populations. (David, 2013)
The main vector or driver of dengue is the female Aedes aegypti mosquito
which bites during the day, and, less commonly, the night-biting

Aedes

albopictus. (Both types are found in the Philippines.) Although it has not yet made
the list of the 10 most common causes of death in the Philippines, dengue is a
major public health problem in the Philippines. Among Asian and Pacific countries,
according to World Health Organization (WHO) data, the Philippines racked up the
highest number of reported dengue cases, numbering 37,895 as of 2013, with
740 infections reported per week, resulting in 172 deaths (so far).
Fortunately, this viral disease is usually self-limited and usually adequate
hydration and pain control will help the person through the infection. However,
for dengue fever, a caution is given by most clinicians in home treatment.
Nonsteroidal

anti-inflammatory

agents

(for

example, aspirin (Bayer,

Ecotrin),ibuprofen (Motrin), and other NSAIDs) should be avoided because of the

tendency of the dengue viruses to cause hemorrhages. The NSAIDs may add to
the

hemorrhage

symptoms.

Other

medications

such

asacetaminophen (Tylenol), codeine, or other agents that are not NSAIDs may be
used.More severe variations of dengue fever (hemorrhagic and shock syndrome)
usually require additional supportive treatments; these patients often require
hospitalization. IV hydration, blood transfusions, platelet transfusions, blood
pressure support, and other intensive-care measures may need to be utilized in
these patients. Consultation with infectious-disease and critical-care specialists is
often advised to optimize patient care.
( Mary Nettleman, MD, MS, MACP, 2014)
There is no definitive treatment from modern medicine available, it is not
surprising that many have turned to alternative therapies for relief. The following
are some Herbal Medicine that helps in curing Dengue Fever:
1. Papaya leaf juice
This is probably the most well-known alternative treatment for dengue. Several
small scientific studies have been carried out in dengue-endemic countries like
India and Malaysia, looking into the efficacy of this herbal remedy. While the
results cannot be said to be definitive, due to their small study size, they are

certainly promising. The main effect of this juice lies in raising the level of
platelets in dengue patients a critical aspect of this viral infection.
2. Tawa-tawa
This hairy herb is commonly used in the Philippines as an alternative treatment
for dengue fever. Also known as gatas-gatas or by its scientific name Euphorbia
hirta, it is said to increase the platelet levels in dengue patients.
A 2012 animal study conducted by pharmacy students from the University of
Santo Tomas, Manila, showed that a decoction of tawa-tawa did indeed increase
platelet levels and decrease bleeding time in rats with induced thrombocytopenia
(i.e. an abnormally low platelet level).
The Philippines Department of Science and Technology is currently researching
the effect of this plant on dengue fever, and have stated their concern over
possible toxicity resulting from overdosing on tawa-tawa.
Meanwhile, Philippine Star columnist Dr Willie T Ong said in a 2009 article that
Filipino doctors in general allow dengue patients to take tawa-tawa as long as
they clear it with them first.
There is no specific treatment for dengue fever. You will need fluids if there are
signs of dehydration. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is used to treat a high fever.
Acetaminophen belongs to a class of drugs called analgesics (pain relievers) and
antipyretics (fever reducers). (Marks, 2013) But then this medicine can cause
several side effects when misuse, so better before taking this medicine, asks your
doctor first.
There is no cure for dengue, nor is there any vaccine for it, although there are
several research teams currently working on one. The main method of controlling
this disease is via prevention; for example, ensuring that there is no stagnant
water or any container where water can pool in around, fogging, using mosquito
nets and repellent, and covering up or staying indoors at dawn and dusk when
the Aedes mosquitoes are most active. (Chin, 2014)

METHODOLOGY
The research is a descriptive research design/method, also known
as the survey or normative approach wherein it involves the use of
questionnaires. This is essentially a technique of quantitative description of the
general characteristics of the group, an approach identifying answers in
questions as to real facts relating to certain conditions. The respondents were
gathered randomly getting 20 respondents in each 5 barangay in Talisay
Batangas.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

Pie Graph 1.

Number of respondents who experienced dengue

20

80

Pie Graph 2. Kinds of Medicines they used

21

28

Herbal Medicine
51

Pharmaceutical Drugs
Either

Pie Graph 3 Reasons why they preferred Herbal Medicines

Safe
2

Cheap
suggested by family

Table 3.

Reasons why respondents preferred Pharmaceutical Drugs

Trusted
Not yet discovered the Herbal Medicine
Reliable
Not Believing in Herbal Medicine
For Fast Recovery
More Effective
Proven and Tested
Prescribed
Availability
0

Table 4.

10

12

14

Reasons why respondents preferred using both type of medicine

20
18
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0

For Fast Recovery

I Dont Know

More Effective

Table 6.

Advantages of Herbal Medicine according to the respondents

50
45
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0

Table 7.

Disadvantages of Herbal Medicine according to the respondents

20
18
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
Not Sure of Effectiveness

Table 8.

Not Reliable

Not Yet Proven

Advantages of Pharmaceutical Drugs According to the Respondents

Availability

Reliable

More Effective

Proven and Tested

Prescribed
0

10

15

20

25

30

Table 7.

Disadvantages of Pharmaceutical Drugs According to the Respondents

Availability

None

Side Effects

Expensive
0

INTERPRETATIONS

10

20

30

40

50

60

Based on the survey we gathered, almost 80% of 100 respondents

experienced dengue. Almost half of them used pharmaceutical drugs to cure it,
several used both pharmaceutical and herbal medicine and few used herbal
medicine. The reasons why they prefer herbal medicines is most commonly it
was suggested by their family. On the other hand, the reasons why most chose
pharmaceutical drugs is because it was prescribed by the doctor, some answered
it is more effective and some said it is proven and tested, reliable, tested, did not
discovered herbal yet and dont believe in herbals. Respondents who chose both
is because its more effective and mainly for fast recovery. The advantages of
herbal medicines they answered most commonly are it is cheaper than the other
and the disadvantage is its not yet proven and tested. The advantage of
pharmaceutical drugs based on them is most commonly because it is reliable and
its disadvantage is its expensive.

SUMMARY
Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral infection causing a severe flu-like
illness and, sometimes causing a potentially lethal complication called severe
dengue. There are four different viruses that can cause dengue fever, all of which
spread by a certain type of mosquito. Because there is no definitive treatment
from modern medicine available; it is not surprising that many have turned to
alternative therapies for relief. The significance of this survey research is to give
the readers a clear vision of preference on which medication is more effective in
treating dengue fever disadvantages and advantages of what they are using and
other trends in curing dengue. The objectives of the researchers are to
distinguish which is more effective between Herbal Medicine and Pharmaceutical
Drugs for Dengue Fever, identify the reasons why they prefer it and to be able to
determine the number of people using Herbal Medicine and Pharmaceutical
Drugs.
Based on the survey we gathered, 80% from the 100 respondents suffered from
dengue. Few of them used herbal medicines because of their main reason and its
advantage which is it is cheaper than the other. Some of them used both herbal

and pharmaceutical drugs because of the influence of the family and said to be
for fast recovery. The results also showed that most of them used pharmaceutical
drugs mainly because it is prescribed and proven and tested.
The results indicated that pharmaceutical drugs are more effective than herbal
medicine.

CONCLUSION
From the determined findings derived from this study the following
conclusion were drawn:

Findings showed that almost 80% of 100 respondents experienced

dengue. Almost half of them with a total of 51 used pharmaceutical
drugs to cure it, 28 respondents used both pharmaceutical and herbal
medicine and 21 respondents used herbal medicine.
The reasons why they prefer herbal medicines is most commonly it
was suggested by their family. On the other hand, the reasons why
most chose pharmaceutical drugs is because it was prescribed by the
doctor. Respondents who chose both is because its more effective
and mainly for fast recovery.
The advantage of herbal medicines they answered most commonly is
it is cheaper than the other and the disadvantage is its not yet
proven and tested. The advantage of pharmaceutical drugs based on

them is most commonly because it is reliable and its disadvantage is

its expensive.
Based on the results of which cure the respondents chose mostly, it
proved that pharmaceutical drugs are the most effective in curing
dengue fever.