HOW TO PREVENT DENGUE?

• BY DR. AK RANA

Dengue is caused by virus called DENV (dengue virus). It is not caused by mosquito but actually transmitted from one person to another by the bite of mosquito.

According to WHO, 100-400 million infections of dengue occur every year.

Dengue is usually mild and asymptomatic but it can also become severe, which can become fatal.

There is no exact treatment for it. It’s a viral disease. It’s a viral disease and early recognition and management can prevent fatality.

We see various variations from mild dengue fever to dengue hemorrhagic fever where bleeding can occur leading to sudden drop in BP (shock) and death.

So, it can never be taken lightly.

SYMPTOMS

1. High fever
2. Headache
3. Body aches
4. Nausea & vomiting
5. Rash
6. Pain that occurs behind the eyes

SEVERE DENGUE SYMPTOMS

1. Abdominal pain
2. Repeated vomiting
3. Bleeding gums or nose
4. Blood in vomit
5. Blood in stool
6. Feeling very thirsty
7. Feeling very weak

In case of these symptoms immediately consult hospital.

HOW DENGUE IS TRANSMITTED?

• Artificially stored water, when not changed regularly can become the hub of mosquitoes.

• Dengue virus is transmitted by Aedes aegypti female mosquitoes.

When mosquito feeds blood of a person, virus goes and multiply in midgut of mosquito.

Later on, virus spread to other tissues including salivary glands.

So, when it feeds on a healthy person next time, he gets infected with virus.

While this mosquito once infected spreads dengue for rest of its life.

• These mosquitoes bite during the day when you are in school/ college in your office or at home.

• Severe dengue usually occurs in persons who already had previous infection.

LABORATORY DIAGNOSIS

1. Thrombocytopenia (platelet count < 150,000 cells/mm3)
2. Rising haematocrit (5-10%)
3. Viral antigen detection

NS1 (non-structural protein 1)

4. Rapid diagnostic test (RDT)

5. Viral nucleic acid detection – (RT-PCR)

TREATMENT

No specific treatment

Paracetamol is given for fever and relieving pain.

Take rest as dengue is also called break- bone fever, and indeed even without fever you will feel tired for days.

• Drink lots of water/ coconut water / juice.

• No NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) should be taken like Ibuprofen and aspirin without doctor’s guidance.

PREVENTION OF DENGUE

This disease if captures us, can make us spend thousands of rupees but we can prevent it to a great extent just by taking some precautions.

• Wear protective clothing because preventing the mosquito bite is the first and main step.

You can wear full sleeves shirt instead of half sleeves.

You can wear shoes with socks instead of sandals or sleepers.

Wear pants/jeans/ trousers instead of capri/ half-pants.

• Use coils or vaporizers.

• Use mosquito nets.

• Prevent entry of mosquitoes in house by using gates and windows with nets.

• Regular cleaning/ dusting along with preventing storage of water in and around your house or in your neighbourhood.

• On weekends, all the neighbours/ members of society can clean their surrounding areas.

They can organize awareness campaign against dengue regarding its prevention and control.

Same can be done at schools to make children aware and also at your workplaces.

If you or your family member is suffering from fever, then don’t wait for more than 1 day taking it as a normal flu fever.

In case if dengue case is increasing in your area, go for blood test as and when suggested by doctor.

For the entire period be in touch with doctor, as during this time platelet levels are checked regularly and multiple blood test might be required.

If any severe dengue symptoms are seen, then consult immediately to nearby doctor/ hospital.

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