Dengue- A Killer disease

Dengue- A Killer disease

Take good care of yourself to prevent from Dengue: A killer disease All of you are well aware about the drastic rise in the number of dengue fever cases reported in Delhi since August this year. It has reached epidemic proportions in the capital and thus it has witnessed the worst outbreak in the past six years.

What is Dengue?

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Dengue is a mosquito borne tropical disease caused by the virus.

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Also known as break bone fever as it results in severe joint pain along with fever and headache.

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It occurs in two forms: Dengue fever and Dengue Haemorrhagic fever.

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Dengue is just a flu like illness but the Dengue Haemorrhagic fever is a more severe form including high fever followed by bleeding from eyes, nose mouth and ear which may even lead to death.

Causes of Dengue The prime cause is the bite of a mosquito that flourishes during rainy season and breed in the water filled potholes and puddles.

How Mosquitoes Spread the Infection

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Disease starts during the rainy season, when vector mosquito Aedes aegypti is abundant.

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The Aedes breeds in the tropical or semitropical climates in water holding receptacles or in plants close to human dwellings.

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A female Aedes acquires the infection feeding upon a viremic human.

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After a period of 8-14 days mosquitoes are infective and remain infective for life (1-3) months.

Symptoms of Dengue We often confuse with the symptoms of dengue with that of influenza and end up paying heavily with our health.

However, it is characterized by severe flu- like symptoms that include • • • • • •

High fever Headache Muscle and joint pain Skin rashes all over the body Bleeding gums Swollen glands

Treatment of Dengue There is actually no antiviral drug or injection available for the cure of this disease.

However, it can be treated effectively by seeking medical advice and drinking plenty of fluids. The fever can be treated with drugs such as paracetamol and analgesics that help in relieving the pain.

Natural home remedies such as papaya leaves, kiwi and other food items also helps in increasing the platelet count which gets affected during dengue.

Prevention of Dengue •

Avoid the stagnant water in and around your surroundings. Make sure that water is stored in close containers.

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It is better to use mosquito repellents and nets to prevent yourself from the bite of mosquitoes.

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Use of insecticides.

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Try to wear light colour clothes so that mosquitoes wont bite you.

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Maintain good sanitary condition and hygiene to prevent it.

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Keep dustbin clean as the dirty areas can be a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

Public Health Education

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Dengue fever is not contagious through person to person contact.

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Early Hospitalization is important.

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Reduce A aegypti vector populations.

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Reduce exposure to A aegypti.

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Vaccine is not available

As you can see the cases of dengue rising every year, thus it becomes important to take all the preventive measures to stay protected. The main carriers of this disease are mosquitoes.

It requires control or eradication of mosquitoes carrying the virus that causes it.

Implementing few hygiene and sanitation measures can help in fighting against this dreadful disease.