dengue

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Dengue fever is a disease caused by a family of viruses. It's transmitted by yellow fever mosquito (Aedes aegypti) and forest day mosquito (Asian tiger mosquito). Both mosquitoes feed exclusively during daylight hours. It occurs widely in tropical countries. Not like malaria, dengue is just as prevalent in the urban districts of its range as in rural areas. There is year-round transmission, but the rainy season increases mosquito breeding. The female mosquito lays her eggs in water containers in and around the homes, and other dwellings. These eggs will develop, become larvae, and further develop into adults in about 10 days. Dengue mosquitoes bite during the day time throughout the day.

Highest biting intensity is about 2 hours after sunrise and before sunset. Unlike other larvae, dengue larvae dive to the bottom of the container when we disturb to the water in the container. So, it can remain at the bottom. Therefore it’s necessary to clean well.

The disease manifests as high fever (3-7 days) of sudden onset associated with headache, muscle and joint pains and rash. The classic dengue fever lasts about two to seven days, with a smaller peak of fever at the trailing end of the disease. Clinically, the platelet count will drop until after the patient's temperature is normal.

There is no specific treatment – no curative drug is available. Use supportive care such as pain relief, drink fluids, and rest. Use paracetamol. Do not use aspirin or ibuprofen.

Rush patient to hospital as soon as you notice the symptoms — high fever with bleeding, blood spots under the skin, bleeding from gums, nose bleeding, vomiting blood.

Dengue mosquitoes breed in stored, exposed water collections. Favored places for breeding are barrels, drums, jars, pots, buckets, flower vases, plant saucers, tanks, discarded bottles, tins, tyres, water coolers etc.

To prevent the mosquitoes from multiplying, drain out the water from desert coolers/window air coolers (when not in use), tanks, barrels, drums, buckets etc. Remove all objects containing water from the house. Collect and destroy discarded containers in which water collects.

Preventing is the best than doing treatment after catching. So, it’s very important to have clean environment. Let’s keep a clean environment and will stop dengue.