How to prevent the Dengue Virus

The Dengue virus belongs to the virus family “Flaviviridae” and is transmitted to people through the bite of the mosquitoes. Presently, this is believed to be the most common arthropod-borne disease in the world. Dengue is mostly found in tropical regions because the mosquitoes require a warm climate. The incubation period of dengue fever is four days. The early symptoms include fever and a rash. In more severe cases, fever and rash are accompanied by headache, backache, sore throat, and abdominal pain. The patients become lethargic and nauseatic. The illness can last up to 10 days, but sometimes can complete recover in a month. Older children and adults are more vulnerable to this disease.

Risk factors for dengue hemorrhagic fever include a person's age, immune status and the type of infecting virus. Persons who were previously infected with dengue virus are at a greater risk for developing dengue hemorrhagic fever if reinfected. There is no vaccine to prevent dengue. Eliminating mosquito breeding sites in mosquito prone areas is one prevention measure.

How to prevent the Dengue Virus

Prevention is better than cure. To avoid dengue virus, please read the following points below and also spread to others:

• Avoid mosquito bites when traveling in tropical areas.
• You can use mosquito repellents on skin and clothing.
• When you go outdoors, make sure you are covered. Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants.
• Avoid heavily populated residential areas.
• When indoors, try to stay in air-conditioned or screened areas.
• Eliminate mosquito breeding sites around homes. Throw items that can collect rain water.
• Regularly change the water in outdoor bird baths and pet and animal water containers. 
• Dengue mosquitoes bite during the daytime. Highest biting intensity is about 2 hours after sunrise and 2 hours before sunset.
• Use mosquito coils and electric mats during the daytime also to prevent dengue.
• Use mosquito nets to protect children.
• There is yet no specific treatment for dengue. Patients with dengue fever should rest and drink plenty of fluids. They should be kept away from mosquitoes for the protection of others. They should be given plenty of water since they continuously need to replace lost fluids. Some patients also need transfusions to control bleeding. Paracetamol can help to bring down fever and joint pain. Medicines such as Aspirin and Brufen should be avoided since they can increase the risk of bleeding. Patients should take rest, drink plenty of fluids (including ORS) and eat a nutritious diet.