What is Dengue fever? Dengue fever is a disease caused by a family of viruses that are transmitted by mosquitoes. It is an acute illness of sudden onset. Some of the symptoms are:
Sudden onset of high fever (up to 40˚C) which cannot be relieved with Paracetamol .
Shivering.
Intense headache.
Eye pain and eyes can become red.
Muscle and joint pains.
Skin rash on the body, usually not on the face
Dengue hemorrhagic fever is a more severe form of the viral illness that usually appears the second time a person contracts dengue. The signs of dengue hemorrhagic fever include: small red or purple blisters under the skin, bleeding in the nose or gums, black stools, or easy bruising. This form of dengue fever can be life‐threatening or even fatal.
How is Dengue contracted? The virus is contracted from the bite of a striped Aedes aegypti mosquito that has previously bitten an infected person. The mosquito is more common during the rainy season but can breed year-round. One mosquito bite can inflict the disease. The virus is not contagious and cannot be spread directly from person to person.
How is Dengue fever treated? Because dengue is caused by a virus, there is no specific medicine or antibiotic to treat it. For typical dengue, the treatment is purely concerned with relief of the symptoms. Rest and fluid intake for adequate hydration are important. Aspirin and ibuprofen should be avoided. Paracetamol may be given for severe headache and for the joint and muscle pain.
How can Dengue fever be prevented? The Aedes aegypti mosquito is a daytime biter with peak periods of biting around two hours after sunrise and before sunset. It may bite at any time of the day and is often hidden inside homes. People are urged to empty water from old tires, trash cans, and flower pots where the mosquito larvae breed. For personal protection, use mosquito repellant sprays that contain DEET. Consider buying mosquito lamps which are widely available here. There is currently no vaccine available for dengue fever.
As always, please do not hesitate to contact the Health center on Nurse@ishcmc.edu.vn or by phone at 0838989100 extension 2105/2633 Primary Health Center, or 1131/1132 Secondary Health Center, if you have any further questions or concerns
https://www.cdc.gov/dengue/index.html