Updated : June 3, 2024 7:31 PM IST
Dengue cases are spreading in many parts of the world, and even claiming lives! According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, since the beginning of this year more than 7.5 million dengue cases and over 3,000 dengue-related deaths have been reported from as many as 73 countries/territories. Scroll down to find out more about this deadly disease and ways in which you can prevent it.
Case of dengue and malaria, both vector-borne diseases, spike in summer because mosquitoes find this weather to be most conducive to multiply. The warm temperature provides them with an ideal environment to lay eggs. Moreover, they are able to breed freely in the water that is often stagnated or stored in buckets and open tanks. In addition to that, people also leave the house often, especially in the evening, to get some respite, making themselves vulnerable to mosquito bites.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control states that dengue fever is a viral disease that is transmitted by certain types of mosquitoes. Its classic symptoms are fever, headache, joint and muscle pain, rashes, etc. Typically, the symptoms appear 3-14 days after infection and in some cases, it can become severe and lead to complications like dengue hemorrhagic fever and dengue shock syndrome. It can turn fatal, too.
As mentioned earlier, it spreads during this time of the year, when people rely heavily on water to keep themselves cool. The mosquito population is higher near stagnant water and the disease spreads through mosquito bites. Mosquitoes get the virus by biting infected people; they further transmit it to healthy people by biting them.
Keep yourself and your loved ones safe by using mosquito repellent and mosquito nets; preventing water from getting accumulated in buckets and other containers, especially in and around the house; try to sleep in air-conditioned rooms; use human-friendly mosquito-repellent sprays; wear clothes that cover the body, especially when sitting outside. If there is a water container, wells or storage tank in your vicinity, make sure they are covered. Watch out for the water that collects in flower pots, bird bowls, etc.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), while there is no specific medicine for dengue treatment, you must see your healthcare provider if you develop high fever or have other symptoms of dengue. The other thing to keep in mind is that you must rest a lot and drink water or drinks with added electrolytes.
Watch out for some warning signs that begin within 24-48 hours after the fever has gone away. You must see a doctor immediately if the following things happen: belly pain, tenderness; vomiting (at least thrice in 24 hours); nose or gum bleeding; bloody vomit, or blood in stool; feeling tired and restless.