Dengue Awareness & Prevention
Friday, Oct 15, 2010 What is Dengue Fever?

Dengue is transmitted to people through the bite of an Aedes mosquito infected with any one of the four dengue viruses. Dengue-bringing mosquitoes bite during the day. The peak hours when the female  Aedes aegypti mosquito bites humans and other hosts for food is the two hours after sunrise and two hours before sunset.


Symptoms to Watch For
        * Fever
        * Headache
        * Exhaustion
        * Rashes
        * Severe Muscle Pain
        * Sore throat
        * Dizziness
        * Loss of Appetite
        * Vomiting
        * Diarrhea




Click on image to enlarge.


When a person is infected, physical examination may show:

        * Low blood pressure
        * Skin rashes
        * Sore throat
        * Rapid pulse
        * Swollen glands
        * Enlarged liver.

The signs to watch for

        Bleeding which easily causes bruising, blood spots in the skin, spitting of blood, blood in the stool, gum bleeding, and nose bleeding.



Prevention & Control

Cleanliness is still the key to prevent dengue but in the presence of its signs and symptoms, immediately consult a physician for proper care.

The 4S Strategy

1. Search and destroy possible breeding places of dengue-causing mosquitoes like flower pots, vases, discarded plastic bags, bottles, old tires, cans, roof gutters, water drums, and other containers that might hold clean stagnant water.

2.  Self-protection measures include wearing long sleeves or long pants.  It is also best to avoid dark-colored clothes like dark shades of blue and black, as dark clothing has been observed to attract mosquitoes. You can also use mosquito coils, electric vapour mats and mosquito spray during the daytime. Screens and mosquito nets are also good deterrents against mosquitoes.

3. Seek early consultation because dengue is crucial.  See a doctor immediately if you show early signs and symptoms of dengue.

4. Say no to indiscriminate fogging. Fogging is only advisable and recommended when outbreaks and epidemics are positively determined in a particular area.
Source: DOH-Philippines

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