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Dengue fever symptoms/cautions/prevention
A sharp rise in mosquito transmitted dengue and dengue hemorrhagic fever cases in the past few weeks, with dozens of people in hospitals..
-How can someone get dengue fever?
Dengue fever occurs following the bite of an infected mosquito Aedes aegypti. The mosquito gets the Dengue virus after biting a human being infected with dengue virus.
-When should I suspect Dengue?
Dengue should be suspected when you have sudden onset of high grade fever 103-105 degrees F, accompanied with severe headache (mostly in the forehead), pain behind the eyes, body aches and pains, rash on the skin and nausea or vomiting. The fever lasts for 5-7 days.
-There are several types of fever, when shall dengue be suspected?
The characteristics of dengue that makes it different from other causes of fever are the pain behind the eyes, severe pains in the muscles, severe joint pains (break -bone fever), and skin rashes. These features make the diagnosis of suspected Dengue likely.
-What is the difference between suspected and probable case of dengue?
If a patient suspected to be having dengue has reduced platelets or an increase in blood haematocrit, then the patient has probable dengue. These additional findings make dengue more likely. (Platelets are cells in blood that help to stop bleeding. Haematocrit indicates the thickness of blood).
-Can I get dengue fever from another person?
It is only spreads through the bite of an infected mosquito not from person to person.
-What is the treatment? Is it curable?
Like most viral diseases there is no specific cure for dengue fever. Paracetamol is the drug of choice to bring down fever and joint pain. Other medicines such as Aspirin and Brufen should be avoided since they can increase the risk of bleeding. Patients should take rest, drink plenty of fluids (including ORS) and eat nutritious diet.
-When should a patient suffering from Dengue go to the hospital or consult a doctor?
The signs and symptoms that should be looked for are severe pain in the abdomen, persistent vomiting, bleeding from any site like, bleeding in the skin appearing as small red or purplish spots, nose bleed, bleeding from gums, passage of black stools like coal tar. This bleeding indicates dengue hemorrhagic fever which is a potentially lethal complication. Take the patient to hospital whenever the first two signs, namely, severe pain in the abdomen and persistent vomiting are detected. Usually it is too late if we wait until bleeding has occurred.
-Is there a vaccine to prevent dengue fever?
A vaccine has been developed to prevent dengue fever but it is still under trial.
-How can the multiplication of mosquitoes be reduced?
Dengue mosquitoes breed in stored, exposed water collections. Favoured places for breeding are barrels, drums, jars, pots, buckets, flower vases, plant saucers, tanks, discarded bottles, tins, tyres, water coolers etc.
To prevent the mosquitoes from multiplying, drain out the water from desert coolers/window air coolers (when not in use), tanks, barrels, drums, buckets etc. Remove all objects containing water (e.g. plant saucers etc.) from the house. Collect and destroy discarded containers in which water collects e.g. bottles, plastic bags, tins, used tyres etc. In case it is not possible to drain out various water collections or to fully cover them use insecticide to prevent larvae from developing into adults.
-How can I protect myself from mosquito bites to prevent dengue fever?
There is no way to tell if a mosquito is carrying the dengue virus. Therefore, people must protect themselves from all mosquito bites. Dengue mosquitoes bite during the daytime. Highest biting intensity is about 2 hours after sunrise and before sunset.
Wear full sleeves clothes and long dresses to cover as much of your body as possible.
Use repellents
Use mosquito coils and electric vapour mats during the daytime also to prevent dengue. Use mosquito nets to protect children, old people and others who may rest during the day. The effectiveness of these nets can be improved by treating them with permethrin (parathyroid insecticide) .
Please do share this information with friends, family members, colleagues etc.
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