Dengue Signs, Symptoms and How to Avoid
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Dengue fever also known as breakbone fever, is an infectious tropical disease caused by the dengue virus. Dengue fever is a flu-like illness spread by the bite of an infected mosquito while Dengue hemorrhagic fever is a severe, often fatal, complication of dengue fever.
Signs and Symptoms of Dengue
Dengue fever symptoms include fever, headache, muscle and joint pains, and a characteristic skin rash that is similar to measles. More details of it's symptoms below:
- Sudden onset of high fever which may last 2 to 7 days.
- Joint & muscle pain and pain behind the eyes.
- Weakness
- Skin rashes - maculopapular rash or red tiny spots on the skin called petechiae
- Nosebleeding when fever starts to subside
- Abdominal pain
- Vomiting of coffee-colored matter
- Dark-colored stools
How does one get Dengue?
Dengue is carried by several species of mosquito within the genus Aedes, principally A. aegypti. The virus has four different types; infection with one type usually gives lifelong immunity to that type, but only short-term immunity to the others.Dengue is spread by the bite of an Aedes mosquito. The mosquito transmits the disease by biting an infected person and then biting someone else.
What is the treatment for dengue and dengue hemorrhagic fever?
There is no specific treatment for dengue. Persons with dengue fever should rest and drink plenty of fluids. They should be kept away from mosquitoes for the protection of others. Dengue hemorrhagic fever is treated by replacing lost fluids. Some patients need transfusions to control bleeding.
How to Prevent Dengue
- Cover water drums and water pails at all times to prevent mosquitoes from breeding.
- Replace water in flower vases once a week.
- Clean all water containers once a week. Scrub the sides well to remove eggs of mosquitoes sticking to the sides.
- Clean gutters of leaves and debris so that rain water will not collect as breeding places of mosquitoes.
- Old tires used as roof support should be punctured or cut to avoid accumulation of water.
- Collect and dispose all unusable tin cans, jars, bottles and other items that can collect and hold water.
- Be extra cautious when at the onset of a fever specially during rainy seasons
Mosquito Bites Prevention and Treament
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Mosquitoes are found throughout the world especially in tropical places. Mosquito bites may cause swelling and itching for several days or so; the main problem of these bites is the infections that may be transmitted through the insect’s saliva.
Mosquito Bites Treatment
Mosquito bites can transmit diseases, they should be wash with soap and water followed by an antiseptic. To control itching or swelling, a nonprescription antihistamine, calamine lotion, anesthetic gel, or an ice pack may help. Alternatively, a paste of salt and water and, or baking soda and water, can be applied to the bite to control itching.