Dengue fever is a viral ailment spread to people by infected mosquito bites. Aedes aegypti mosquitos are the main carriers of the disease.1

Dengue fever infects up to 400 million people each year. Around 100 million individuals are infected, with 40,000 people dying from severe dengue fever.2

Fever is the most prevalent symptom of dengue with any of the following, such as: eye pain, headache, muscle pain, rash, bone pain, nausea/vomiting, joint pain. Dengue fever symptoms usually last 2-7 days. After approximately a week, the majority of people will be back to normal state.2

Internal bleeding and organ damage are possible side effects of severe dengue infection. Blood pressure can fall dangerously low, resulting in shock. Severe dengue can be fatal in some circumstances. Women who develop dengue fever while pregnant may pass the infection on their babies during childbirth. In addition, dengue fever during pregnancy increases the risk of pre-term birth, low birth weight, and fetal distress in the baby.3

When to see a doctor? Severe dengue fever is a medical emergency that can be fatal. Seek medical help as soon as possible when you just recently visited a region where dengue fever is known to exist, developed fever and any of the warning indicators include severe abdominal pain, vomiting, difficulty breathing, or bleeding from your nose, gums, vomiting blood or bloody stools. Call your doctor if you have recently traveled and have a fever and mild symptoms of dengue fever.3

Preventive measures can be taken by protecting yourself and others from the bites of infected mosquitoes, especially if you live or travel to the tropics area. In addition, prevention can also be done with various efforts aimed at suppressing the mosquito population.4

The following are some ways that you can do to protect yourself from dengue mosquito bites:4

  • Mosquito repellents should be used, even when you do indoors activities.
  • Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants tucked into socks when going outside.
  • If air conditioning is available, use it when you are indoors.
  • Make sure the screens on your windows and doors are secure and without any holes. Use mosquito netting if your sleeping place is not screened or air-conditioned.

Get rid of sites where mosquitos can reproduce to lower the mosquito population. Old tires, cans, and flower pots that gather rain are examples. Change the water in outdoor bird baths and pet water bowls on a regular basis.4

Sources:

  1. Cogan, JE. Dengue and severe dengue. WHO. Updated on Jan 10, 2022. Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/dengue-and-severe-dengue
  2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC. Updated on Nov 15, 2021. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/dengue/index.html
  3. Mayo Clinic Staff. Dengue Fever. Mayo clinic. Accessed on March 22, 2022. Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dengue-fever/symptoms-causes/syc-20353078
  4. Dunkin, MA. Dengue fever. Web MD. Last reviewed on June 12, 2021. Available at: https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/dengue-fever-reference

Picture:

Yunita, TR. Demam Berdarah Dengue. Klik Dokter. Updated on: Jan 28, 2022. Available at:https://www.klikdokter.com/penyakit/demam-berdarah-dengue