What You Should Know About Dengue and The Symptoms to Look For

Dengue or break-bone fever is a mosquito-borne disease, typically a mild illness that may result in a high fever, nausea, headaches, body aches, and rash. Other common symptoms include fatigue, pain behind the eyes, mild bleeding, vomiting, and appetite loss.

How do you identify severe dengue symptoms?

Severe dengue symptoms include restlessness, extreme thirst, weakness, rapid breathing, persistent vomiting, and blood in vomit or stool. Other symptoms include fatigue, severe abdominal pain, cold and pale skin, and bleeding gums or nosebleeds.

Dengue facts

1. Dengue is transmitted to humans via bites of infected female mosquitoes (Aedes aegypti mosquito).
2. Although rare, dengue can be fatal.
3. Someone with dengue usually displays symptoms four to 10 days after infection.
4. Some people may not display symptoms; most who catch it get better within a week or two.
5. People who catch it for the second time are at greater risk for severe dengue.
6. Severe dengue symptoms mostly show up after the fever goes away. You should seek medical care immediately if you display severe symptoms.
7. After recovering, you may experience feeling tired for several weeks.
8. There is no specific treatment for dengue, but most physicians focus on treating pain symptoms.
9. Avoid using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen and aspirin, which can increase the risk of bleeding.
10. Dengue symptoms can be confused with diseases like malaria, typhoid fever, Zika virus, or chikungunya. Tell your doctor if you have visited an area with a dengue outbreak and notice any symptoms.

What should you do if you have symptoms?

If you are experiencing mild symptoms of dengue, visit your doctor or health centre and follow the instructions you receive. You should rest, stay hydrated and use painkillers (paracetamol) to help with pain relief.

How can you help prevent dengue?

You can help prevent Aedes mosquito breeding by searching for anything water can settle in. Cover containers or keep them dry. It would be best to clean containers regularly or fill them with soil or sand. Punch holes in empty containers that might collect water or recycle or dispose of them properly.

Since the virus is caused by being bitten, you can use mosquito nets, destroyers, or insect repellents that contain Deet, IR3535 or PICARIDIN. It helps to wear protective clothing like a long-sleeved shirt and pants. Using screens on windows and doors or air conditioning can also help reduce the exposure to being bitten. (Diazepam)

You can also use Find Yello to search for pharmacies, health centres, hospitals and related businesses with the necessary products or services to help you.

Sources: World Health Organization, CDC, and Mayo Clinic.