Why dengue fever still continues to be a global threat?

Dr Mohammed Sakeel, HOD of Emergency and Trauma, Fortis Hospital, Kalyan tells us why dengue is still a menace.

Written By: Editorial Team | Published : September 9, 2018 9:00 AM IST

Dengue fever is a painful, debilitating mosquito-borne disease caused by dengue viruses. Each year, an estimated 400 million people globally are infected with dengue virus; about 100 million get progressively sick and 2.5% of those patients die. It is the fastest growing mosquito borne infection in the world. Here Dr Mohammed Sakeel, HOD of Emergency and Trauma, Fortis Hospital, Kalyan tells us why dengue is still a menace.

The World health organization (WHO) estimates that 40% of world's population is at risk of being infected due to environmental conditions and burden of disease; people of all age groups are at risk. Most people who are infected have mild or no symptoms. Mild symptoms of dengue may be confused with other illnesses that cause fever and flu-like symptoms. The most common symptoms are fever, and one or more of the following:

Headache
Eye pain (typically behind the eyes)
Muscle, joint, or bone pain
Rashes
Nausea and vomiting
Unusual bleeding (nose or gum bleed, small red spots under the skin, or unusual bruising)

Severe symptoms of dengue can be labelled as an emergency, recognize the warning signs early.

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Warning signs

Watch for signs and symptoms of severe dengue, which develop 24-48 hours after initial fever goes away. If you or a family member develops any of these warning signs, go to a physician or nearest emergency department immediately:

Severe stomach pain or vomiting (at least 3 vomiting episodes within 24 hours)
Bleeding from the nose or gums
Vomiting blood, or blood in the stool
Drowsiness or irritability
Pale, cold, or clammy skin
Difficulty in breathing

Prevention of dengue

Many government organizations are doing a lot to fight dengue. Current efforts focus on prevention, such as using insecticides or reducing potential egg-laying habitats for dengue mosquitoes. However, there is no vaccine to prevent dengue fever. Prevention of mosquito bite is very much essential, if you are living in or travelling to a tropical region. How you could protect yourself:

Stay away from heavily populated residential areas, if possible
Use mosquito repellents, even indoors
When outdoors, wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants
Make sure window and door screens are secure and free of holes
Use mosquito nets
Use insecticide sprays in dark corners (under the bed, sofa and behind curtains)
Loosen soil in potted plants to prevent accumulation of stagnant water on surface
Clear all stagnant water in and around your society
Turn over all water storage containers when empty and store them under a shelter

If you have symptoms of dengue, consult your doctor immediately. To reduce the mosquito population, get rid of places where mosquitoes can breed, these include old tires, cans, or flower pots that collect rain water. Stay wise and keep your surroundings clean. Prevention of mosquitoes breeding can save you from life threatening dengue.

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