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?

Dengue is a mosquito borne tropical

disease caused by the virus.

Also known as break bone fever as it

results in severe joint pain along with
fever and headache.

It occurs in two forms: Dengue fever

and Dengue Haemorrhagic fever.

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

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

The Aedes breeds in the tropical or semitropical climates in water holding

receptacles or in plants close to human dwellings.

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

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.

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

Use of insecticides.

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

Maintain good sanitary condition and hygiene to prevent it.

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

Public Health Education

Dengue fever is not contagious through

person to person contact.

Early Hospitalization is important.

Reduce A aegypti vector populations.

Reduce exposure to A aegypti.

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.