Awareness Creation & Prevention Campaign - by 'c r e s k'
What is dengue fever? What is dengue hemorrhagic fever & what is Chikungunya? Dengue [DEN-ghee] & Chikungunya fever is a flu-like illness spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. Dengue hemorrhagic fever - DHF is a severe, often fatal, complication of dengue fever.
What is the infectious agent that causes dengue? Dengue, dengue hemorrhagic fever and Chikungunya are caused by any of the dengue family of viruses. Infection with one virus does not protect a person against infection with another.
How are dengue / Chikungunya spread? Dengue is spread by the bite of an Aedes mosquito. The mosquito transmits the disease by biting an infected person and then biting someone else.
What are the signs and symptoms of dengue fever, dengue hemorrhagic fever & Chikungunya? Dengue fever usually starts suddenly with a high fever, rash, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, and muscle and joint pain. The severity of the joint pain has given dengue the name "break bone fever." Nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite are common. A rash usually appears 3 to 4 days after the start of the fever. The illness can last up to 10 days, but complete recovery can take as long as a month. Older children and adults are usually sicker than young children. Most dengue infections result in relatively mild illness, but some can progress to dengue hemorrhagic fever. With dengue hemorrhagic fever, the blood vessels start to leak and cause bleeding from the nose, mouth, and gums. Bruising can be a sign of bleeding inside the body. Without prompt treatment, the blood vessels can collapse, causing shock (dengue shock syndrome). Dengue hemorrhagic fever is fatal in about 5 percent of cases, mostly among children and young adults.
How soon after exposure do symptoms appear? The time between the bite of a mosquito carrying dengue virus and the start of symptoms averages 4 to 6 days, with a range of 3 to 14 days.
How are dengue / Chikungunya diagnosed? Dengue is diagnosed by a blood test.
Who is at risk for dengue? Anyone who is bitten by an infected mosquito can get dengue fever. Risk factors for dengue hemorrhagic fever include a person's age and immune status, as well as the type of infecting virus. Persons who were previously infected with one or more types of dengue virus are thought to be at greater risk for developing dengue hemorrhagic fever if infected again.
What is the treatment for dengue, dengue hemorrhagic fever and Chikungunya? There is no specific treatment for dengue / Chikungunya. Persons with dengue / Chikungunya fever should rest and drink plenty of fluids. They should be kept away from mosquitoes for the protection of others. Dengue hemorrhagic fever is treated by replacing lost fluids. Some patients need transfusions to control bleeding.
Is dengue an emerging infectious disease? Yes. All types of dengue virus are re-emerging and causing larger and more frequent epidemics, especially in cities.
How can Dengue / Chikungunya be prevented? There is no vaccine to prevent dengue. Eliminating mosquito breeding sites is a key prevention measure. Discard items that can collect rain or run-off water, especially old tires. Avoid mosquito bites. Use mosquito repellents on skin and clothing. Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants tucked into socks. Regularly change the water in outdoor bird baths and pet and animal water containers. Have secure screens on windows and doors to keep mosquitoes out. Additionally, a person with Dengue / Chikungunya fever should limit their exposure to mosquito bites in order to avoid further spreading the infection. The person should stay indoors or under a mosquito net. (Reference – World Health Organisation - WHO).