Dengue Virus

2006-11-19T13:10:00.000-08:00

WHAT IS DENGUE?

Dengue is a flu-like viral disease spread by the infected mosquito (mainly Aedes aegypti) bites, injecting dengue virus in the receptor. Its severe form is dengue hemorrhagic fever, which is fatal. It is actually pronounced as den’gee and not den’gu.

HOW IT IS SPREAD?

When an Aedes mosquito bites an infected person, it also becomes infected. When it bites another person, that person also becomes infected. Dengue virus cannot be spread directly from person to person.

SYMPTOMS OF DENGUE:

High fever, severe headache, backache, nausea and vomiting, eye pain, rash, and joint pain. Dengue can be diagnosed by a blood test.

WHO ARE AT RISK?

It occurs in most tropical areas of world. Travelers who are affected by dengue virus also take the disease with them to their countries. It is common in Asia, Africa, Pacific, America, and Australia.

TREATMENT OF DENGUE:

There is no exact medication available for dengue. It is treated symptomatically. Following actions are recommended by physicians: Get plenty of bed rest. Drink lots of fluid. Take analgesics and medicines to reduce fever.

HOW TO MINIMIZE RISKS?
1. When you are inside the house, use a good quality mosquito repellent containing DEET even in the days.

2. Dress such that your full body is covered like long-sleeved shirts, long pants, etc. even inside and outside the house.

3. Apply mosquito repellent cream on your body when you are outside the house.

4. Eliminate breeding sites of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. Mosquitoes preferred breeding areas are flower vessels, tires, tanks, buckets, and the things where the water is stored for more than 4-5 days. Aedes aegypti is responsible also for Chikungunya and yellow fever.

PRECAUTION IS BETTER THAN CURE.