Managing Dengue: Prevention, Symptoms, and Treatment
Dengue, the global menace, has been steadily gaining ground. In the year 2000, it barely made a blip on the radar with just over 500,000 reported cases. Fast forward to 2019, and it exploded with 5.2 million cases reported to the World Health Organization.
Dengue fever is no trivial matter. It’s a viral infection transmitted by minuscule Aedes mosquitoes, and one particular mosquito species, Aedes aegypti, bears the lion’s share of responsibility for this alarming illness. Join us as we delve into the world of Dengue, uncovering the reasons behind its resurgence and the imperative need to take it seriously.
What Causes Dengue?
Dengue is caused by the dengue virus carried and spread by mosquitoes, mainly the Aedes mosquitoes. Here’s how it happens:
- Mosquitoes Become Carriers: When these mosquitoes bite a person who already has dengue, they pick up the virus from their blood.
- Virus Inside Mosquitoes: The virus then multiplies and settles in the mosquito’s salivary glands.
- Biting Humans: When an infected mosquito bites another person, it injects the virus into their blood, causing a dengue infection.
The disease can start with mild to severe fever or headache, with severe cases potentially becoming life-threatening.
Common Symptoms of Dengue Fever
- Fever: One of the primary signs of dengue is a sudden, high fever.
- Headache: Severe headaches are a common symptom.
- Muscle and Joint Pain: You may experience aching muscles and joints.
- Nausea and Vomiting: Frequent feelings of nausea and vomiting can occur.
- Rash: A skin rash may appear within days of fever onset.
- Pain Behind the Eyes: Some people may experience pain behind the eyes.
However, severe dengue symptoms may include abdominal pain, consistent vomiting, bleeding from the nose or gums, and altered mental status.
It’s important to remember that dengue doesn’t spread directly from person to person. Mosquitoes are the mediators in this process. To prevent dengue, avoiding mosquito bites and eliminating places where mosquitoes breed is crucial.
Prevention Is Key
The best way to manage dengue is through prevention. Here are some simple steps to protect yourself:
- Use Mosquito Repellents: Apply mosquito repellents, even when indoors.
- Wearing Protective Clothing: Choose to wear long-sleeved clothing, long pants and tuck your pants into your socks when you are outside
- Stay Indoors: Stay in air-conditioned spaces when mosquitoes are most active.
- Secure Screens: Ensure window and door screens are intact and free of holes. If not, use mosquito nets for sleeping.
- Remove Breeding Sites: Mosquitoes breed in standing water. Remove items like old tires, cans, and flower pots that collect rainwater.
Dengue Treatment
Diagnosing dengue fever can be challenging due to its similarity to other diseases like chikungunya, Zika virus, malaria, and typhoid fever. Doctors typically assess a patient’s medical history, travel history, and symptoms. Blood tests, such as PCR and serology tests, are used to confirm dengue infection.
Currently, there is no specific antiviral for dengue treatment. However, here’s how to manage the illness:
- Keep yourself hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids/liquid to prevent dehydration.
- Fever and Pain Relief: Use acetaminophen (like Tylenol) for pain and fever. Avoid aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen, as they can increase bleeding risk.
- Medical Care: Severe cases may require hospitalization for dengue treatment, where you can receive intravenous fluids, electrolyte replacement, and close monitoring.
Dengue fever is a severe illness, but with awareness and proper management, you can protect yourself and receive appropriate dengue treatment. Remember, prevention is the first line of defense against dengue.
If you have any concerns about fever or notice any dengue symptoms, don’t hesitate to consult our expert doctors at Yashoda Super Speciality Hospital. Your health matters to us, and we’re here to help. Click the link below to book an appointment and receive expert guidance: http://182.79.136.75:62/