Healthytalk8 Dengue fever also known as “break-bone” can cause intense pain in muscles and joints it’s spread by the bite of lady mosquito.
It is not a mild disease, if you do not care then it can very scary, and In India dengue has become a very common disease for 2 decades.
You can estimate this – At least 50 people including more than 30 children died from dengue and other fever in UP state (India) in 2021.
Dengue
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This disease is caused by the virus, whose symptoms usually begin on the 3rd to 4th day after infection, and recovery usually takes 2 to 7 days.
NOTE: Severe dengue was first recognized during the Dengue epidemics in the Philippines and Thailand in the 1950s.
Dengue is common in most countries but some countries reported the Most cases in 2021 to include:
- Brazil (752,284)
- Peru (35,728)
- Nicaragua (20,067)
- Colombia (20,325)
- Mexico (16, 997).
Reason & Important Facts
Dengue is a disease caused by a virus. the virus is transmitted through the bite of the lady mosquito.
This mosquito is black in colour and bites only during the day. but why?
When a mosquito bites healthy people it transfers the dengue virus to the human body for causing infection, and inside the body, the virus majorly affects the immune cells.
NOTE: Dengue spread in such weather when it is neither too hot nor too cold. At this time the breeding of this mosquito is maximum.
Is Dengue Mosquito Only Bites During The Day?
This is not true that the dengue mosquito only bites during the day, this also bites during the night.
NOTE 1: These mosquitoes are active mostly 2 hours after sunrise and several hours before sunset, which is why mosquitoes primarily bite during the day.
NOTE 2: But it can bite at night also. The Director of Indian Medical Associates said that Dengue Mosquito needs only light and they can get light even at night.
Types of Dengue fever
There are 3 types of dengue fever include:
- Classical fever
- Hemorrhagic fever
- Dengue shock syndrome
Dengue classical fever is not fatal, but hemorrhagic, and shock syndrome fever can be fatal. if it is not treated fast, it can even lead to death.
Dengue In India
This virus is not only a threat to India but also there are 100 + countries that still face dengue fever every year.
NOTE: In India, dengue is a very common disease for the last 2 decades, and children and older adults are more risk of it due to low immunity.
Learn more – Food For Strong Immunity.
In 2021, there have been a lot of dengue cases in India. dengue patients have reached so much that beds were set up in the hospital to the balcony.
But why have dengue cases increased day by day? because of poor rainwater cleaning, due to which the water remains in the drains and roads, and where dengue mosquitoes breed.
At least 50 people including more than 30 children have died and had other fevers in Utterpradesh state (India).
Signs and Symptoms
Symptoms usually start 3 to 4, and 6 days after the mosquito bite and last up to 10 days which include:
In children
NOTE: If vomiting and diarrhea like other symptoms are seen in children, then may be at higher risk for dengue.
Other symptoms include:
- Headache
- Nausea
- Redness on the skin (1 and 2-day symptoms)
- Loss of appetite
- Eye pain
- Joint pain may occur and at times pain in the entire body.
Serious Symptoms
- Bleeding in mouth, and nose
In such cases, you need to consult the doctor immediately and start the treatment.
Sometimes these symptoms are also seen in viral infection, so go to the doctor immediately, and get his proper treatment.
Who is At High Risk?
If you also fall in this category then you too may be at risk of this virus which includes:
- People who wear half-sleeved clothes
- People living in slum areas
- Weak Immune system
- If you recently travelled from High-risk countries.
Anyone can be at risk if you are in this country, or in any other country, if you are careless then you can also get it.
What Tests Are Done For the Detection of Dengue?
Here are some common tests that are done by doctors to detect dengue on you are:
1. NS1 test: This test should be done within 5 days and after 5 days the chance of false-positive and negative results is high.
2. Serology test: In this test, they can major the level of immunoglobulin and know about the presence of dengue fever, and these examples for this test are:
- IgG and IgG for dengue
3. PCR test: It is a specific test, which can detect even minor quantities of viral antigen, but this test is done very rarely and is very costly to perform.
4. Platelet count: Platelet count is also monitored in patients. the platelet count starts falling after the 5th or 6th day of fever.
But this test is not for diagnosing the fever, rather it is used ot monitor if the patients need to be transfused platelets or not.
Treatment of Dengue
In 2019, the FDA approved a vaccine called Dengvaxia to help prevent contracting the disease in adolescents ages 9 to 16.
There is no specific medicine to treat the dengue virus. but there are ways that you can treat yourself at home are:
- It is very important for you to take adequate rest.
- In case of fever, you can take paracetamol or keep a cold water compress.
- You have to consume more liquid and eat simple homemade food. A large number of liquid intakes are required to be taken in this.
If your condition becomes serious after 3 to 4 and 5 days, then you should immediately contact the doctor.
Vaccine
In 2016 a partially affected vaccine for dengue became available globally in the Philippines and Indonesia.
This vaccine was approved by Mexico, Singapore, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Paraguay, Brazil, much of Europe, and the United States.
NOTE: But due to some reason, this vaccine was not successful.
For this reason, prescrire (a monthly medical journal in French) doesn’t allow for widespread vaccination, even in areas where this disease is common.
Home-Remedy
Here are some such home-Remedies, which are considered very effective during dengue, Which I have experienced myself that are very effective for increasing platelets.
How To Prevent From Dengue?
Mosquito prevention depends on control of and protection from bites, by stopping it, its infection will also stop.
Here some ways by which you can be completely safe against dengue are:
- Wear full-sleeved clothes, and long pants and hats are ideal.
- Use insect repellent, especially when you are outside.
- You can use mosquito coils, liquid, and spray.
- If you are camping, use an insect screen tent.
- Sleep in front of a strong fan because mosquitoes don’t have strong enough wings to fly in that environment.
- Close the windows and door, or use a screen window cover.
- Sleep under the mosquito net, which is a very easy and effective way to prevent mosquito bites.
If after doing all this, you are still seeing any symptoms of dengue, then talk to the doctor.
How To Stop Dengue Mosquito From Grow?
To stop the dengue mosquito before it breeds.
Here are some simple ways by which you can apply around yourself and you can take your part in preventing the infection of this virus.
- Do not allow water to collect in empty pots, and flower pots.
- Weekly wash, or clean your cooler.
- If there is any small water place around your home, then fill it with soil.
- Drain water from pools, coolers, and any storage water tank, when it is not in use.
By doing this you are spreading awareness about this virus in society and you are contributing to eradicating it.
