Dengue fever is a disease caused by viral infection in humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. This disease is often found in the Caribbean, Central America, and South Asia. Symptoms of dengue include fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes (retro-orbital pain), muscle and joint pain, and skin rash. Sometimes, dengue fever only has a mild impact, but it can also be severe, and even cause dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) or dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) which can be fatal if not treated.
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Part 1 of 3: Studying Dengue Fever
Step 1. Understand the common symptoms of dengue fever
In mild cases, dengue fever may not cause obvious symptoms. However, in more severe cases, symptoms will begin to appear about 4-10 days after you are bitten by an infected mosquito. The most common symptoms of dengue fever include:
- High fever (up to 41 degrees C)
- Headache
- Joint, bone and muscle pain
- Pain behind the eyes
- skin rash
- Nausea and vomiting
- Bleeding from the nose and gums (rare)
Step 2. Understand how dengue fever is transmitted
The Aedes mosquito is the main type of mosquito that transmits dengue fever. Mosquitoes become infected with dengue after biting an infected person. Then, dengue fever will be transmitted by mosquitoes when they bite other people. Dengue fever cannot be transmitted directly from one person to another.
Step 3. Consider your risk factors
If you live or travel to tropical or subtropical areas, then you are at high risk of contracting dengue fever. You are also at a higher risk of contracting dengue fever if you have been infected before. A previous history of dengue fever also puts you at risk for more severe symptoms of the disease when you are infected for the second time.
Many tropical countries in Southeast Asia, Mainland India, the South Pacific, the Caribbean, South and central America, northeastern Australia, and Africa. After disappearing for 56 years, dengue has also re-emerged in Hawaii
Part 2 of 3: Reducing Exposure to Dengue Infected Mosquitoes
Step 1. Stay indoors, or under mosquito nets during peak mosquito infestations
There are two peak times of dengue mosquito biting activity: in the morning for a few hours after sunrise, and in the afternoon, a few hours before dark. However, mosquitoes may still be looking for food at any time of the day, especially indoors, in dark places, or when the weather is cloudy.
Be sure to sleep in a room with protected ventilation, or with air conditioning, or under a mosquito net
Step 2. Use mosquito repellent while outdoors
You should protect yourself from mosquito bites while spending time outdoors in mosquito-infested areas. Apply mosquito repellent to all exposed areas of skin before leaving the house.
- For adults and children over 2 months of age, use a mosquito repellent containing 10% DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide).
- Protect babies under the age of 2 months by using a baby cot protected by an elasticated mosquito net so that it is tight.
Step 3. Cover your skin
You can reduce the chances of being bitten by mosquitoes by covering as much of your skin as possible. Wear loose, long-sleeved clothing, socks, and long pants when you are going to a place where mosquitoes live.
You can also spray mosquito repellent containing permethrin or other mosquito repellent approved by BPOM on your clothes for complete protection (Remember, don't spray permethrin directly on your skin)
Step 4. Get rid of standing water around you
Mosquitoes breed in stagnant water, such as in unused car tires, uncovered water storage containers, buckets, vases or flower pots, cans, and bathtubs. Try to reduce the mosquito population around you by removing standing water around your house or camping area.
Part 3 of 3: Treating Dengue Fever
Step 1. Visit a doctor as soon as possible if you suspect that you have dengue fever
Seek immediate medical attention to increase your chances of recovery if you develop a fever after visiting an area affected by a dengue outbreak. If your symptoms get worse, your blood pressure may need to be monitored. You may also need blood transfusions, and other treatments that must be provided by a healthcare professional.
Step 2. Know that there is no cure for dengue fever
Although several dengue vaccines are still being developed, there is currently no cure for dengue fever. If you recover from the disease, you will be immune to the strain of the virus that infects you. However, you can still be infected with any of the other three strains of the dengue virus.
Step 3. Meet the body's fluid needs
Dengue fever can cause diarrhea and vomiting, which can lead to dehydration. Thus, you should drink plenty of water if you have dengue fever. Your doctor may give you an IV to meet your body's fluid needs as well.
Step 4. Reduce pain
Paracetamol is the recommended drug to relieve pain from dengue fever because it can lower your fever at once. Paracetamol is also less likely to cause bleeding than nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Bleeding may occur if you have severe dengue symptoms.
Tips
- Remember that dengue fever cannot be passed from person to person. This disease is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito. If you live with someone who is infected with dengue fever, be sure to take extra precautions to prevent mosquitoes from biting sick people or yourself.
- Keep in mind that there is currently no vaccine that can prevent dengue, and there is no specific medicine to cure dengue sufferers, so protecting yourself from mosquito bites if you live or will be traveling to a dengue endemic area is extremely important.
