Beware This This Little Tiger - The Harbinger of Dengue Fever
The Asian Tiger mosquito is a carrier of the dangerous Dengue Fever and inflicts painful bites on humans. Dengue is a viral disease which can affect anyone but is likely to be more serious in people with compromised immune systems. Dengue hemorrhagic fever is a more severe form of the viral illness which can be life-threatening. The best way to protect oneself from dengue is to avoid mosquito bites and keep the mosquito population down.
Fast Facts:
- According to the recent reports of World Health Organization (WHO), around 50 to 100 million dengue infections occur worldwide every year.
- There is no specific treatment for severe dengue but early detection and access to proper medical care reduces fatality rates below 1%.
Rush to your doctor if you observe these symptoms
The initial symptoms of dengue are chills, headache, pain behind the eyes, and, muscle and joint pain. Temperature rises quickly (up to 104 deg. F) and there is a decrease in blood pressure and heart rate. Reddened eyes and pale pink rashes on the body are observed. Mild bleeding (from nose or gums, easy bruising) is another symptom of this condition. In severe cases, persistent vomiting, severe abdominal pain, respiratory distress, plasma leaking, and fluid accumulation may develop.
Follow these measures to protect yourself against dengue
Since, there is no vaccine or specific medication to treat a dengue infection, controlling the transmission of the dengue virus is the most important step. Ensure a mosquito-free environment by practising these methods:
- Wear protective clothing when outdoors. Cover up with long-sleeved shirts, long trousers, tucked into socks and a hat if thin-haired.
- Use effective insect repellents on skin and on clothing and reapply at regular intervals as prescribed.
- Arrange for undamaged, impregnated bed-nets to be used in sleeping areas not properly screened or air-conditioned.
- Make sure windows and door screens are secure and without holes. If available, use air-conditioning.
- Keep water containers covered and clean up old tires, cans, and barrels as standing water are breeding place for the mosquitoes.
There is no specific medication for dengue treatment. The remedy is concerned with the relief of symptoms. Rest and fluid intake for hydration is important. Doctor’s supervision is important while taking medicines to relieve pain so that bleeding conditions are not worsened.
How is dengue different from Chikungunya?
The Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes, which causes Dengue, also causes another viral disease called Chikungunya and a person can be infected with both diseases simultaneously. Both of these diseases have identical symptoms but dengue is more common and more fatal than Chikungunya. There are some differences between these two diseases as listed below but a diagnostic test is essential for identifying whether it’s a dengue or a Chikungunya virus infecting the patient.
Type |
Dengue |
Chikungunya |
| Duration of disease | Incubation period of 4–7 days (range: 3–14 days) and disease duration vary from 4 to 7 weeks. | Incubation period 3–7 days (range: 2–12 days) and disease duration varies from one to two weeks. Symptoms such as joint pain may persist for a long time. |
| Joint and muscle pain | Muscle pain on the back, arms and legs. Joint pain on knees and shoulders. | Joint pains on hands and feet. Swelling is present and the pain is high in the morning. |
| Skin rashes | Rashes usually limited to face and limbs. | Rashes on trunk, limbs, face, palms and feet. |
| Possible complications | Life-threatening complications such as shock, breathing difficulty and heavy bleeding can occur. | Up to 10% of patients develop chronic joint pain. Neurological damage can rarely occur. |
Did you know?
Dengue is a threat to about half of the world’s population. An effective mosquito control measure is the only method to prevent dengue fever!!
Source:
searo.who.int [av_promobox button='yes' label='Consult a Specialist on MediBuddy' link='https://www.medibuddy.in/?utm_source=blog_cta&utm_medium=blog' link_target='' color='blue' custom_bg='#f00' custom_font='#ffffff' size='large' icon_select='no' icon='ue800' font='entypo-fontello'] Dengue requires immediate medical attention! If you notice any symptoms, book a Consultation with a Specialist right away on MediBuddy. [/av_promobox]
