What is Dengue?
Dengue is a serious viral disease transmitted by
the bite of the mosquito, Aedes aegypti.
Dengue occurs in two forms: dengue fever and dengue haemorrhagic fever.
Dengue fever is a severe, flu-like illness that affects older children
and adults but rarely causes death.
Dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF) is a second more severe form in which bleeding and occasionally shock occur, leading to death; it
is most serious in children. Persons suspected of having dengue fever or DHF
must see a doctor at once. Dengue haemorrhagic fever is a deadly disease and early
diagnosis and treatment can save lives. Unless proper treatment is
given promptly, the patient may go into shock and die.
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CHARACTERISTICS OF DENGUE FEVER
- Abrupt onset of high fever
- Severe frontal headache
- Pain behind the eyes which worsens with eye movement
- Muscle and joint pains
- Loss of sense of taste and appetite
- Measles-like rash over chest and upper limbs
- Nausea and vomiting
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Who is most affected ?
Children, tourist and travellers are usually at a higher risk for dengue transmission. However, adults living in
endemic areas are in danger too.
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How can Dengue be Prevented ?
ELIMINATION OF MOSQUITO BREEDING PLACES
1. Cover water containers—Tight covers on water. Storage containers, will prevent the mosquitos laying their eggs there. If the cover is loose, mosquitos can
go in and out.
2. Septic tanks and soak-away pits-Cover and seal these, so that dengue mosquitos cannot breed there.
3. Removal of rubbish—Garbage articles and other
rubbish found around houses can collect rain water.
They should be removed or smashed and buried in
the ground or burned, where this is permissible.
4. Biological control—Mosquito wigglers can be
controlled
by small larva-eating fish, such as guppies.
These fish can be found in streams or ponds or
obtained through pet shops. Bacterial pesticides will
also kill mosquito wigglers.
5. Chemical control—Safe and easily used larvicides such
as temephos sand core granules can be placed in
water containers to kill developing wigglers.
PREVENT MOSQUOTO BITES
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Treatment of dengue fever
- Fluids
- Rest
- Antipyretics(avoid aspirin)
- Monitor blood pressure, hematocrit, platelet count, level of consciousness.
- Continue monitoring after defervescence.
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