DENGUE

FACT SHEET ON DENGUE FEVER AND DENGUE HAEMORRHAGIC FEVER

GENERAL

Dengue is an acute fever caused by a virus. It occurs in two forms:

(a) Dengue Fever

(b) Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever

Dengue fever is marked by the onset of sudden high fever, severe

headache and pain behind the eyes, muscles and joints.

Dengue Haemorrhagic fever (DHF) is a more severe form, in which

bleeding and sometimes shock occurs  – leading to death. It is most serious in

children. Symptoms of bleeding usually occur after 3-5 days of fever.

The high fever continues for five to six days (103 – 105 ^oF or 39- 40 ^oC). It

comes down on the third or the fourth day but rises again. The patient feels much

discomfort and is very weak after the illness.

Dengue spreads rapidly and may affect large number of people during an

epidemic resulting in reduced work productivity, sometimes death also.

RECOGNITION OF DENGUE FEVER

· Sudden onset of high fever

· Severe headache (mostly in the forehead)

· Pain behind the eyes which worsens with eye movement

· Body aches and joint pains

· Nausea or vomiting

RECOGNITION OF DENGUE HAEMORRHAGIC FEVER AND SHOCK

Symptoms similar to dengue fever plus, any one of the following:

(1) Severe and continuous pain in abdomen;

(2) Bleeding from the nose, mouth and gums or skin bruising

(3) Frequent vomiting with or without blood

(4) Black stools, like coal tar

(5) Excessive thirst (dry mouth)

(6) Pale, cold skin

(7) Restlessness, or sleeplessness

TREATMENT

There is no specific medicine for the treatment of the disease. However

proper and early treatment can relieve the symptoms and prevent complications

and death. 

Aspirin and Brufen should be avoided in dengue fever, as it is known to increase the bleeding tendency and also it increases the stomach pain.

Paracetamol can be given on medical advice.  If one or more signs of

Dengue Haemorrhagic fever are seen, take the patient to the hospital

immediately. Give fluids to drink while transferring the patient to the

hospital.

BASIC FACTS ON DENGUE

(a) How dengue spreads?

Dengue is spread by  the bite of an infected mosquito Aedes aegypti. The mosquito gets the virus by biting the infected persons. The first symptoms of the

disease occur about 5-7 days after an infected bite.

There is no way to tell if a mosquito is carrying the dengue virus.

Therefore, people must protect themselves from all mosquito bites.

(b) Where does the mosquito live?

The mosquito rests indoors, in closets and other dark places. Outside, they rest where it is cool and shaded. The female mosquito lays eggs in water containers in and around homes, schools and other areas in towns or

villages. These eggs become adult in about 10 days.

(c) Where does the mosquito breed?

Dengue mosquitoes breed in stored exposed water collections.


FAVOURED BREEDING PLACES ARE:

Barrels, drums, jars, pots, buckets, flower vases, plant saucers, tanks,

discarded bottles, tins, tyres, water cooler, etc. and a lot more places where rainwater collects or is stored.

PREVENTION OF DENGUE

All efforts of control should be directed against the mosquitoes. It is important to take control measures to eliminate the mosquitoes and their breeding places. However, the efforts should be intensified before the transmission season (during and after the rainy season) and at the time of the epidemic.

PREVENT MOSQUITO BITES:

Dengue mosquitoes bite during the daytime. Protect yourself from the bite.

(1) Wear full sleeve clothes and long dresses to cover the limbs;

(2) Repellent  – mosquito repellents can be used to escape from its bite. But care should be taken in using repellents on small children and old age people.

(3) Use mosquito coils and electric vapour mats during the daytime.

(4) Use mosquito nets – to protect babies, old people and others.

(5) Protection and isolate the people sick with dengue to prevent its spread to others.

PREVENTION OF MULTIPLICATION OF MOSQUITOES:

Drain water from coolers, tanks, barrels, drums and buckets, etc.

Remove water from refrigerator drip pans.

All stored water containers should be kept covered.

Discard solid waste and objects where water collects (Eg: bottles,tins,tyres,etc.)

ALWAYS REMEMBER

Dengue fever is a severe flu like illness rarely causes death but Dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF) is a more severe form, in which bleeding and occasionally shock occur, leading to death.

Persons suspected of having dengue fever or DHF must see a doctor. Dengue haemorrhagic fever is a deadly disease and early recognition and treatment can save lives. Unless proper treatment is given

promptly, the patient may go into shock and die.

Dengue mosquitoes bite during the day.

Doctors and health workers treating cases of dengue fever should also

notify the health authorities.

Ref: Article by WHO.