Avoid Dengue Fever During the Rainy Season

Finally, the rainy season has arrived. Despite the fact that this is probably a good thing given our lengthy and exceptionally dry summer, the peak of dengue infection coincides with the rainy days.

The World Health Organization reports a sharp increase in dengue incidence. Dengue infections are thought to occur in 390 million people annually as of 2019. A countrywide dengue epidemic was already declared in the Philippines by the Department of Health (DOH) in August, with 5,100 cases reported each week and 622 fatalities since January 2019. This is already 98% more than the instances reported the year before.

It is anticipated that the number of dengue cases will increase during the rainy season since mosquitoes reproduce and nest in places with still water (such as puddles, water containers, and ponds).

What is Dengue Fever?

The chief of MakatiMed’s Infectious Disease Section, Janice C. Caoili, M.D., claims that dengue is a self-limited illness with a death incidence of less than 1%. Nevertheless, the severe type of dengue can be fatal, particularly when it is not treated effectively.

A virus called dengue fever is contracted by being bitten by an infected mosquito. Due to the disease’s non-specific symptoms, which appear 4–7 days after a person is bitten, it can be challenging to diagnose the infection.

The following symptoms are frequently reported by patients who have contracted the illness:

• A high fever that comes on in waves.
• Headache
• Discomfort behind the eyes
• Joint, bone, and muscle discomfort
• Described as flat, reddish patches, skin rashes

Ways to keep Mosquitoes Away

Here are some simple strategies to keep mosquitoes from making your home their permanent residence and advice to strengthen your defense against dengue.

1. Cover and sanitize water containers frequently. Since mosquitoes prefer to breed in stagnant water, common household items like pet water bowls, planter dishes, and flower vases can act as breeding grounds.
2. Keep your home spotless and organized. Avoid keeping clutter inside and outside the home, such as old tires and other storage containers with water inside, that could serve as a home for mosquitoes and their eggs.
3. Wear protective gear, such as long sleeves and pants, both inside and outside the home, especially if you are aware that dengue is spreading in your neighborhood.
4. Invest in a mosquito net to protect yourself from biting insects while you sleep. To achieve the best protection, make sure there are no holes and that it is completely sealed.
5. For a mosquito-free house, think about installing screens on your windows and doors.
6. Purchase insecticides that are safe to use inside your home and are efficient against mosquitoes. The use of mosquito coils may be beneficial, but use them with care and keep them out of children’s reach.
7. Eliminate waste properly. Use closed garbage cans and take out your trash frequently, if at all possible. Separating your trash could help keep insects out of your home.
8. To prevent water buildup, drain and clean your roof gutters. Apply the same principle to bathtubs, pools, and fountains.
9. Apply insect repellent to every part of your body, especially during the rainy season or if you anticipate being among insects. Before using any form of product on children, speak with a doctor first.
10. Although dengue is not contagious from person to person, mosquitoes can contract the disease after biting a victim of the illness. Because of this cycle, the sick mosquito might spread dengue throughout your home.

Dengue Classification and Management

Additionally, Dr. Caoili states that among dengue patients, “when warning signs and symptoms of severe dengue are not recognized early and management is delayed, life-threatening complications of dengue may develop.”

The WHO advises categorizing dengue patients according to the severity of their symptoms to ascertain who would benefit from more aggressive medical treatment.

Those who exhibit fever and two of the following symptoms nausea or vomiting, rash, headache, eye discomfort, muscular soreness, or joint pain as well as leukopenia, a low white blood cell count in a complete blood count test, or a positive tourniquet test can be presumed to have dengue. 

A blood sample can be used to diagnose the disease by looking for viral antigens such as Dengue NS1 or viral nucleic acid. When a person has dengue symptoms or is suspected of having dengue, the presence of dengue IgM can help confirm the diagnosis of dengue. 

The presence of warning symptoms should be carefully evaluated in people with suspected or confirmed dengue. These include abdominal pain or tenderness, chronic vomiting, clinical fluid buildup (in the lungs or belly), mucosal bleeding, tiredness or restlessness, an enlarged liver, and an increase in hematocrit with a sharp decline in platelet count.

Patients with dengue should be admitted to the hospital for closer monitoring and appropriate therapy if they exhibit warning signs. They need to have their risk of developing severe dengue monitored on a frequent basis. About 50% of those who have severe dengue will present with shock or respiratory distress due to fluid accumulation, severe bleeding, or severe organ involvement, which may ultimately result in organ failure and death. When treated effectively, the mortality rate from dengue hemorrhagic fever is reduced to 2-5%.

Treatment of Dengue

There is no specific therapy for dengue, and patients who have the disease are mostly managed on a supportive basis. The majority of dengue sufferers who show no symptoms and are able to eat and drink enough could be treated safely in an outpatient environment. 

They should drink a lot of water to prevent dehydration and heed their doctor’s advice when it comes to taking drugs for symptoms like fever and body aches. They should seek advice right once if they have any of the cautionary symptoms.

The WHO and Philippine DOH strongly advise persons who have dengue and show warning signs to seek medical advice right away to stop the disease from getting worse.

Please read: PHILIPPINE ACTIVITIES DURING RAINY SEASON

Conclusion

The government should eliminate mosquito breeding sites in order to stop the development of dengue and other vector-borne diseases in the city. The government should use fogging in regions where mosquito breeding is widespread. As responsible citizens, we must also take action to solve this issue. We ought to inform people about fundamental safety precautions. To raise awareness about the value of cleanliness, seminars, and workshops should be held. 

Remember, “Prevention is better than cure”!

MGS insurance is available to you as financial protection against this illness. Always feel free to contact us