DENGUE ::
Dengue is a serious viral diseases transmitted by the bite of the mosquito Aedes aegypti There have been as many as 54 outbreaks of dengue in the last 40 years Dengue as such is not serious but the haemorrhagic form of Dengue in the absence of prompt treatment can be fatal Cases of haemorrhagic form of dengue are increasing Dengue was epidemic in Cuba during 1958 in Thailand during 1981 and in india during 1986 in 1996 it became epidemic not only in Delhi but it is feared to have spreaded in other states
Symptoms of Dengue Fever ::
Dengue occus in two forms : Dengue fever and Dengue Haemorrhagic fever Dengue fever is a severe flu like illness that affects older children and adults but is rarely fatal it is characterized clinically by abrupt onset of high fever severe frontal headache pain behind the eyes which worsens the eye movement muscle and joint pains loss of sense of taste and appetite nausea and vomitting measeles like rash over chest and upper limbs
Dengue Haemorrhagic fever ::
It is a more severe form in which bleeding and occasionally shock occurs which can be fatal children are most susceptible to this form of dengue Symptoms are as follows :
1.Symptoms similar to dengue fever as mentioned above
2.severe and continuous stomach pains
3.Pale cold and calmy skin
4.Bleeding from the nose mouth and gums and skin bruising
5.Frequent vomiting with or without blood
6.Sleeplessness and restlessness
7.Constant crying of children
8.Excessive thirst (dry mouth )
9.Rapid weak pulse
10.Difficulty in breathing
How Dengue Spreads ::
As mentioned above dengue spreads by the bite of the mosquito Aedes egypti Any container which has water for more than 4 days at a stretch is the breading ground Buckets tabs vases aircoolers refrigerator s drip collector open drinking water vessels open water tanks etc are ideal places for breeding of these mosquitoes This mosquito is a day biter and is capable of multiple bites
How to prevent Dengue ::
1.Drain water from all junk on terrace / compound coolers etc where Aedes mosquitto breed Ensure that no water stagnates anywhere in the compound /house
2.Cover overhead water tanks and keep the lids tight
3.Spray insecticides in the house Ensure that water storage tanks in nearby construction areas are treated with kerosene
4.Do not wear clothes that expose arms and legs
5.Do not allow children to play in shorts and half sleeved clothes
6.Use mosquito repellents repellent cream and mosquito nets
Dengue is relatively newer epidemic disease It is on rise because of modernization of civilization building up of dams etc WHO has taken up this disease seriously and attempts are now being made to develop vaccine against dengue infection
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