Dengue: Be careful of ‘dengue sting’

Know Symptoms of Dengue; After a few days, a person becomes infected with dengue fever due to the bite of a mosquito called Aedes aegypti. When the female mosquito Aedes aegypti bites a person, the virus that causes dengue enters the blood of that person.

Symptoms of this disease start appearing 4 to 10 days after the virus enters the blood. It is not that once the virus-infected mosquito bites, it becomes ineffective in spreading the disease. Virus-infected mosquitoes are capable of causing dengue by biting people for the rest of their lives. Aedes aegypti mosquitoes breed in residential areas of most cities. They grow rapidly especially in clean water filled in containers.

The dengue virus belongs to the Flaviviridae family and has four distinct serotypes (DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3, and DENV-4). Infection with one serotype does not provide immunity against the others and can increase the risk of severe dengue if exposed to a different serotype in the future..

Cutting Time

The special thing about Aedes aegypti is that they do not bite at night but only during the day. Generally, their tendency to bite is more in the early morning and evening when there is twilight.

Symptoms of Dengue / Dengue Symptoms

Severe pain in bones and thighs, high fever along with cold, rashes on the body and itching, pain in the body, pain behind the eyes, change in taste of anything.

Feeling uncomfortable, pain in the stomach and frequent vomiting, change in the natural color of urine or black stool, bleeding from nose or gums.

Vaccine not available yet

No vaccine has yet been invented to protect against dengue. The World Health Organization has assured experts from various countries and medical organizations to provide technical advice to develop a vaccine for protection against dengue and has also issued guidelines in this regard. In this sequence, research by various experts is going on. It is to be hoped that dengue vaccine will be available in the near future.

Dengue Treatment

There is no specific treatment for dengue fever. Treatment is done based on different symptoms. In case the symptoms become severe, to prevent water deficiency in the body, give it through mouth and I.V. Fluids are given through. Medicines are given to relieve symptoms like fever, vomiting, stomach ache, headache and weakness. Apart from this, the patient’s pulse rate, amount of oxygen in the blood and blood pressure are monitored.

In details, Dengue is a viral infection that is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected female mosquitoes, primarily the Aedes aegypti mosquito. There is no specific antiviral treatment for dengue, and management typically focuses on relieving the symptoms and providing supportive care. Here are some key aspects of dengue treatment:

1. Rest and Hydration:
   • Rest is essential for a person with dengue, as the illness can be quite debilitating.
   • Staying well-hydrated is crucial. Drinking plenty of fluids, such as water, oral rehydration solutions, and clear soups, can help prevent dehydration.
2. Pain and Fever Management:
   • Over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen (paracetamol) are typically recommended for reducing fever and relieving pain.
   • Avoid non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen and aspirin, as they can increase the risk of bleeding.
3. Monitoring and Medical Care:
   • If you suspect you have dengue, consult a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and guidance.
   • It’s important to monitor for warning signs, such as severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, bleeding, difficulty breathing, and restlessness. Seek immediate medical attention if any of these symptoms occur, as they may indicate severe dengue (dengue hemorrhagic fever or dengue shock syndrome).
4. Platelet Transfusions:
   • In severe cases of dengue where the platelet count drops significantly and there is a risk of bleeding, platelet transfusions may be necessary. This is typically done in a hospital setting.
5. Supportive Care:
   • Intravenous (IV) fluids may be administered in cases of severe dehydration or shock.
   • Doctors may provide other supportive care, such as blood transfusions, if necessary.
6. Mosquito Avoidance:
   • Prevent further mosquito bites to avoid the spread of the virus to others by staying indoors and using mosquito nets and repellents.

It’s important to note that dengue can vary in severity, and while most cases are mild and resolve on their own, some can progress to severe forms of the disease that require hospitalization and intensive care. Early detection and medical care are crucial in managing severe dengue and preventing complications.

Platelet Transfusion

Due to dengue, platelets in the blood start decreasing. When these remain less than 10,000, platelets are transfused to the patient. Even if the victim is bleeding, platelet transfusion is done.

Prevention

There is no specific antiviral treatment for dengue, so prevention is key. Preventive measures include using mosquito repellent, wearing long-sleeved clothing, and using bed nets. Additionally, controlling mosquito breeding sites, such as stagnant water containers, is essential to reduce mosquito populations.

Preventive measures, such as controlling mosquito breeding sites and using mosquito repellents, are also essential in reducing the risk of dengue infection.

Keep changing the water in drums, containers etc. at least once a week. Be sure to put lids on drums and containers. Keep residential places clean, so that mosquitoes cannot breed; do not go to humid places during the day because mosquitoes live in these places.

Wear clothes that cover the entire body, destroy used tyres, coconut shells and bottles etc. so that water does not collect in them, use coil spray etc. to eliminate mosquitoes and drive them away.

Global Impact:

Dengue is a significant global health issue. It is estimated that over 100 million cases of dengue occur each year, with approximately 10,000 to 20,000 deaths, primarily among children. The economic burden of dengue, in terms of healthcare costs and lost productivity, is substantial.

Efforts to combat dengue involve not only vector control and vaccination but also public health awareness campaigns. These campaigns aim to educate people about the importance of reducing mosquito breeding sites and recognizing the symptoms of dengue to seek prompt medical care. Research and surveillance efforts are ongoing to better understand the virus and develop more effective prevention and treatment strategies.