Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne viral disease that is widespread in tropical countries. It is caused by the dengue virus and is transmitted through the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito during the daytime. Dengue fever symptoms include a fever, intense headache, body aches, joint pains, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and skin rashes and mucosal bleeding. There is no specific treatment.
For dengue, adequate fluid intake and bed rest are important. Most patients recover within two weeks. However, dengue fever can turn severe, leading to dengue haemorrhagic syndrome and dengue shock syndrome. It is important to recognise the warning signs such as abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, mucosal bleeding, lethargy and fluid accumulation as it may progress to severe dengue.
Even dengue patients without warning signs can develop severe dengue. Dengue fever with warning signs and severe dengue require aggressive emergency treatment and hospitalisation.
Please don’t hesitate if you have any of the above symptoms for more than three days.
Currently, there are no vaccines to protect against the dengue virus and people are advised instead to take sensible precautions to decrease the likelihood of being bitten by the mosquito.
10 practical tips to be mosquito-free and prevent dengue this season!
- Turn over empty pails and buckets, so that they do not collect excess water.
If the container that contains water cannot be emptied, remember to cover it well when not in use. - Remember to clean out empty flower pots and not to overwater potted plants. It is advised not to have any stagnant water around, as it acts as a breeding ground for mosquitoes.
- Apply mosquito repellents on all exposed areas, during the day as well as at night, on a regular basis to prevent dengue. Here are some innovative ways to keep your home or workplace mosquito-free.
- Make sure your window and door screens do not have any holes. If so, block those areas properly to eliminate mosquitoes.
- If someone at home is ill with dengue, try not to let the mosquitoes bite them or others in the house.
- Always sleep under a mosquito net or with a repellent before you go to bed.
- If you use a cooler, remember to empty out and clean the water tray regularly, even when not in use.
- Always cover your trash can or dustbin when not in use.
- A natural method to keep mosquitoes at bay is to plant tulsi near your window. The plant has properties that do not allow mosquitoes to breed.
- Using camphor as a repellent also works wonders. Light camphor in a room and close all the doors and windows. Leave it this way for about fifteen to twenty minutes to have a mosquito-free environment.
Caused by the bite of an infected female Aedes aegypti mosquito, the disease can be fatal. Once bitten, it takes about four to ten days for the symptoms to show. The most common symptoms are:
+ High fever
+ Severe headache
+ Pain behind the eyes
+ Nausea and vomiting
+ Swollen glands
+ Muscle and joint pain
+ Skin rash (in some cases)
