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5 effective measures to prevent Dengue Fever during Monsoon
Around 500,000 people get affected by the dengue virus every year and if it is not treated on time, it may lead to dengue haemorrhagic fever which also can prove to be fatal in future.
Dengue fever, also known as break-bone fever, is considered one of the deadliest tropical diseases which is transmitted by the bites of infected Aedes aegypti mosquito. The virus which is responsible for the disease is called dengue virus (DENV).
Aedes mosquito is found in many tropical and subtropical regions like India, Southeast Asia, Southern China, Taiwan, Mexico and Central America. They usually breed in flowerpots and dirty water and bite humans during the day. Around 500,000 people get affected by the dengue virus every year and if it is not treated on time, it may lead to dengue haemorrhagic fever which also can prove to be fatal in future.
Though there is no scientifically proven vaccine against the dengue virus, we can take some necessary measures to prevent and protect ourselves from getting infected with the viral fever:
Knowledge about symptoms:
The dengue virus generally spreads in humid weather which is very common in tropical and sub-tropical areas during monsoon. It is a viral infection which can cause high fever, headache, pain in your eyes and entire body, fatigue etc. Having a proper idea and knowledge about the symptoms and complexity of the disease can help you take the necessary steps accordingly.
Clear off your surroundings:
Female Aedes mosquitoes usually breed in stagnant or still water like buckets, unused pools, vessels, flowerpots, clogged drains etc. So cleaning the sources of stagnant water around nearby areas can prevent the mosquitos from growing. You must not gather wet waste near the house and it can eliminate the biological habitats of dengue mosquitoes.
Light up your house:
Damp and dark places usually attract mosquitos. To get rid of these, you need to fill your house with streaming sunlight. At night, all the doors and windows should be closed to prevent unwanted mosquito invasion. You can also use camphor smoke on alternative days for about 20-25 minutes to kill pests that cause and spread diseases.
Use mosquito repellent creams:
The most useful way to get rid of mosquitos is to use repellent creams with active ingredients such as DEET up to 30 percent, picaridin or IR3535. These Environmental Protection Agency-registered creams are gentle on human skin and are proven safe and effective against mosquito bites.
Wear protective clothes:
You should wear covered clothes like full-length sleeves or pants to cover up every inch of your body. It can minimise the exposed area of your skin which will help you to prevent mosquito bites and keep you safer.
Article source- https://www.firstpost.com
Dengue Fever Symptoms
According to data from epidemiology unit of Sri Lanka, the number of total cases recorded for year 2009 is 32713. Most affected district was Kandy. Colombo, Gampaha and Kaluthara districts which have been susceptible in the past have also recorded a high rate of infection and deaths.
- Incubation period is 2-7 days.
- All haemorrhagic fever syndromes begin with abrupt onset of fever (39.5–41ºC) and myalgia.
- Fever is often biphasic with two peaks.
- Fever is associated with frontal or retro-orbital headache lasting 1–7 days, accompanied by generalised macular, blanching rash.
- Initial rash usually fades after 1–2 days.
- Symptoms regress for a day or two then rash reappears in maculopapular, morbilliform pattern, sparing palms and soles of feet. Fever recurs but not as high. There may be desquamation.
- DF cases experience severe bony and myalgic pain in legs, joints and lower back which may last for weeks (hence breakbone fever).
- Nausea, vomiting, cutaneous hyperaesthesia, taste disturbance and anorexia are common.
- Abdominal pain may occur and if severe suggests DHF pattern.The signs of dengue fever/ Dengue haemorrhagic fever are- High fever, rash, hypotension and narrow pulse pressure, poor capillary refill.
- There may be hepatomegaly and lymphadenopathy.
- A tourniquet placed on an arm may induce petechiae in early DHF cases. DHF sufferers exhibit a bleeding tendency as evidenced by petechiae, purpura, epistaxis, gum bleeding, GI haemorrhage and menorrhagia. There may be pleural effusion, ascites and pericarditis due to plasma leakage.
- Petechiae are best visualised in the axillae.
- Flushing of head and neck.
- Tender muscles on palpation.
- Periorbital oedema and proteinuria may be present.
- Maculopathy and retinal haemorrhages may also occur.
- DSS pattern cases progress through DHF until profound shock due to severe hypotension is present.
- CNS involvement e.g. encephalopathy, coma, convulsions.
- Hepatic failure: Means failure of the liver
- Encephalopathy: Means damage to the brain causing fits, loss of consciousness and confusion- Myocarditis – Inflamation of heart muscles
- Disseminated intravascular coagulation - Damage to blood vessels and blood cells causing problematic bleeding and clottingDengue can cause death
- Infection may be confirmed by isolation of virus in serum and detection of IgM and IgG antibodies for Dengue by ELISA, monoclonal antibody or haemagglutination
- Molecular diagnostic methods such as reverse-transcriptase-PCR are increasingly being used.
- Chest X-ray may show pleural effusion.
- Nutritious diet and lot of liquids, But avoid red and brown foods and drinks like coffee, chocolate, grapes etc as it may misinterpret vomiting as blood stained vomitus.
- Fever control with paracetamol, tepid sponging and fans. Aspirin should be avoided.
- Need to seek advice from a qualified medical practitioner if fever lasts for more than 2 days
- Hospital managemnt includes intravenous fluid resuscitation with close monitoring. Haemorrhage and shock will require Fresh Frozen Plasma, platelets and blood. Intensive management with inotropes of the shock syndrome may be required in severe DHF/DSS cases.
- Anti-mosquito public health measures such as reducing breeding sites ( flower pots, fish tanks,tires, coconut shells, tins, water collecting plants, gutters which can collect water) and good sewage management
- Insecticides to destroy the larvae
- Mosquito nets can be used during day time as the Aedes mosquitoes is day-biting.
- Mosquita repellents
- There is a bacteria called Bacillus thuringiensis which destroy the mosquito larvea