“The problem is increasing, the epidemics are dramatic.” That is how the World Health Organization (WHO) says of dengue, considered as one of the three leading causes of death in Asia.
The United Nations health agency estimates that 20 million cases occur each year and require 500,000 hospitalizations. “Dengue is the world’s most important viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes,” declares Dr. Duane Gubler, health administrator of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “The mosquitoes become infected when they feed on someone who has the virus.”
Also known as “break-bone” fever, dengue is the Swahili term for “a sudden overtaking by a spirit.” Caused by four distinct virus serotypes (varieties recognized as distinct by the immune system), it is a distant cousin of yellow fever.
A more lethal complication, called dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF), was first recognized during the 1950s and is today a leading cause of childhood deaths in many countries, including the Philippines.
Approximately five percent of all DHF cases are fatal. Without proper treatment, DHF fatality rates reach 15 percent more. “Although dengue is rarely lethal, its contribution to disease and ill health, especially among young children, should make dengue control a primary public health concern,” says Dr. Dominic L. Garcia, an infectious disease specialist.
The WHO says dengue fever usually starts suddenly with a high fever, rash, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, and muscle and joint pain. The severity of the joint pain has given dengue its other name. Nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite are common. A rash usually appears three to four days after the start of the fever. The illness can last up to 10 days, but complete recovery can take as long as a month. Older children and adults are usually sicker than young children.
Most dengue infections result in relatively mild illness, but some can progress to DHF. With DHF, the blood vessels start to leak and cause bleeding in the nose, mouth, and gums. Without prompt treatment, the blood vessels can collapse, causing shock.
“Children are much more like to get DHF than adults,” explains Dr. Allan Schapira, who used to be person in-charge on infectious diseases at the WHO regional office in Manila. “This is the reason why children are much more at risk of dying. In adults, dengue fever usually does not develop to the severe form, DHF. Besides, in many tropical areas immunity builds up during childhood, so many adults do not get dengue fever, even if they were bitten by an infected mosquito.”
Dengue viruses are transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected Aedes aegypti mosquito. It bites only during daytime but its peak biting time is after sunrise and at dusk – especially one hour before sunset.
Not all Aedes aegypti mosquitoes are carriers of the dengue virus, but only those that have bitten people infected with the virus. Once infected, a mosquito remains infective for life, transmitting the virus to susceptible individuals during probing and blood feeding. However, an infected person cannot transmit the dengue virus directly into another person.
When a person is bitten by an infected mosquito, the dengue virus is deposited in the person’s bloodstream. The time between the bite of a dengue-carrying mosquito and the start of dengue fever symptoms averages four to six days, with a range of three to 14 days. An infected person can be a source of dengue virus for mosquitoes for about six days.
Having dengue is bad news. After all, there are still no effective vaccines against dengue because the immune response to the disease is quite complicated. “There is no specific treatment for dengue,” says Dr. Garcia. “All that a doctor can do to a person with dengue fever is to give him supportive treatment such as antifever pills and plenty of fluids.”
Dr. Garcia reminds that aspirin should not be given to children and adults with dengue because the medicine can impair blood clotting. Acetaminophen is a better choice, he says.
The best protection against dengue is not to be bitten by the mosquito carrying the virus. According to Dr. Willie T. Ong, there are several things you can about it. “There’s no need to panic (when it comes to dengue) because we have 10 ways to beat dengue,” says the 2007 recipient of the Outstanding Filipino Physician award from the Department of Health.
1. Clean up your backyard. Mosquitoes love to stay in the dark and damp areas. So if your garage is littered with boxes and assorted garbage, clean them up or throw them away. Don’t let them become mosquito havens. Schedule a weekend clean-up day.
2. Empty containers with stagnant water. The dengue-carrying mosquitoes breed in stagnant water. This means that flower pots, garbage cans, aquariums, unused swimming pools, tires and other piles are potential breeding grounds for mosquitoes. So after the rains fill them with water, throw the water away. Next time, keep these containers closed and upside down. Flower vase should also be replaced weekly.
3. Check your surroundings for stagnant water. Some ornamental plant leaves have this “whorl” or cup-like shape that can hold water. Beautiful to behold but deadly in design. Turn them over and throw the water away. Upturned coconut shells are also notorious for holding water. Non-moving rivers, especially in squatter areas, are full of mosquito eggs.
4. Close your doors and windows. Some people open their doors in the morning for a whiff of fresh air. They also believe that mosquitoes would leave the house and go into the sunlight. “But my advice is to keep your doors shut at all times,” he advices. If it’s too stuffy, then place a screen door that keeps the flies and mosquitoes outside.
5. Spray insecticide regularly. To rid your house of mosquitoes, flies and cockroaches, spray insecticides every few days. Make sure you spray those dark corners, crevices, and cabinets. You’ll be amazed at the number of pests you’ll find dead in the morning. Just make sure that household members are not exposed to the insecticide as they are not the target. Just spray selected rooms when people are not around.
6. Wear pants, pajamas, long sleeves, and socks. Mosquitoes are attracted to your breath as you exhale so they know how to reach you even in the dark. “I guess they love bare, plump skin, especially the kids who don’t shoo them away and let them suck as much blood as they want,” Dr. Ong believes.
7. Apply insect-repellants or use mosquito nets. If your kids are going hiking, camping or off to school, you can apply insect-repellants like Off-Lotion. Kids like to play outdoors and are prime targets of these mosquitoes. You can wipe it on selected areas of the clothing like collars, sleeves and pants. Avoid applying lotion on the eyes, mouth or hands.
8. Kill those mosquitoes. When it comes to dengue, it’s either kill or be killed. Instruct everyone to kill as many mosquitoes and flies as they can. Once you’ve got them trapped in your bathroom, show no mercy. Mosquitoes belong to the forest, not in your home.
9. Involve the whole community. The best way to defeat dengue is if the whole community is aware of the threat. Ask your community leaders to schedule a clean-up day. The danger is in those empty houses and lots, which are excellent breeding places for mosquitoes. Become a volunteer to monitor and clean up your surroundings.
10. Spread the word: Dengue fever is here. You’ll never know where dengue will strike next so better be prepared. Inform your neighborhood.
“We already know our enemy and all we have to do is follow what the experts have been telling us,” Dr. Garcia points out. “If we will do it now, thousands of people will be saved from death.”
The United Nations health agency estimates that 20 million cases occur each year and require 500,000 hospitalizations. “Dengue is the world’s most important viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes,” declares Dr. Duane Gubler, health administrator of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “The mosquitoes become infected when they feed on someone who has the virus.”
Also known as “break-bone” fever, dengue is the Swahili term for “a sudden overtaking by a spirit.” Caused by four distinct virus serotypes (varieties recognized as distinct by the immune system), it is a distant cousin of yellow fever.
A more lethal complication, called dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF), was first recognized during the 1950s and is today a leading cause of childhood deaths in many countries, including the Philippines.
Approximately five percent of all DHF cases are fatal. Without proper treatment, DHF fatality rates reach 15 percent more. “Although dengue is rarely lethal, its contribution to disease and ill health, especially among young children, should make dengue control a primary public health concern,” says Dr. Dominic L. Garcia, an infectious disease specialist.
The WHO says dengue fever usually starts suddenly with a high fever, rash, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, and muscle and joint pain. The severity of the joint pain has given dengue its other name. Nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite are common. A rash usually appears three to four days after the start of the fever. The illness can last up to 10 days, but complete recovery can take as long as a month. Older children and adults are usually sicker than young children.
Most dengue infections result in relatively mild illness, but some can progress to DHF. With DHF, the blood vessels start to leak and cause bleeding in the nose, mouth, and gums. Without prompt treatment, the blood vessels can collapse, causing shock.
“Children are much more like to get DHF than adults,” explains Dr. Allan Schapira, who used to be person in-charge on infectious diseases at the WHO regional office in Manila. “This is the reason why children are much more at risk of dying. In adults, dengue fever usually does not develop to the severe form, DHF. Besides, in many tropical areas immunity builds up during childhood, so many adults do not get dengue fever, even if they were bitten by an infected mosquito.”
Dengue viruses are transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected Aedes aegypti mosquito. It bites only during daytime but its peak biting time is after sunrise and at dusk – especially one hour before sunset.
Not all Aedes aegypti mosquitoes are carriers of the dengue virus, but only those that have bitten people infected with the virus. Once infected, a mosquito remains infective for life, transmitting the virus to susceptible individuals during probing and blood feeding. However, an infected person cannot transmit the dengue virus directly into another person.
When a person is bitten by an infected mosquito, the dengue virus is deposited in the person’s bloodstream. The time between the bite of a dengue-carrying mosquito and the start of dengue fever symptoms averages four to six days, with a range of three to 14 days. An infected person can be a source of dengue virus for mosquitoes for about six days.
Having dengue is bad news. After all, there are still no effective vaccines against dengue because the immune response to the disease is quite complicated. “There is no specific treatment for dengue,” says Dr. Garcia. “All that a doctor can do to a person with dengue fever is to give him supportive treatment such as antifever pills and plenty of fluids.”
Dr. Garcia reminds that aspirin should not be given to children and adults with dengue because the medicine can impair blood clotting. Acetaminophen is a better choice, he says.
The best protection against dengue is not to be bitten by the mosquito carrying the virus. According to Dr. Willie T. Ong, there are several things you can about it. “There’s no need to panic (when it comes to dengue) because we have 10 ways to beat dengue,” says the 2007 recipient of the Outstanding Filipino Physician award from the Department of Health.
1. Clean up your backyard. Mosquitoes love to stay in the dark and damp areas. So if your garage is littered with boxes and assorted garbage, clean them up or throw them away. Don’t let them become mosquito havens. Schedule a weekend clean-up day.
2. Empty containers with stagnant water. The dengue-carrying mosquitoes breed in stagnant water. This means that flower pots, garbage cans, aquariums, unused swimming pools, tires and other piles are potential breeding grounds for mosquitoes. So after the rains fill them with water, throw the water away. Next time, keep these containers closed and upside down. Flower vase should also be replaced weekly.
3. Check your surroundings for stagnant water. Some ornamental plant leaves have this “whorl” or cup-like shape that can hold water. Beautiful to behold but deadly in design. Turn them over and throw the water away. Upturned coconut shells are also notorious for holding water. Non-moving rivers, especially in squatter areas, are full of mosquito eggs.
4. Close your doors and windows. Some people open their doors in the morning for a whiff of fresh air. They also believe that mosquitoes would leave the house and go into the sunlight. “But my advice is to keep your doors shut at all times,” he advices. If it’s too stuffy, then place a screen door that keeps the flies and mosquitoes outside.
5. Spray insecticide regularly. To rid your house of mosquitoes, flies and cockroaches, spray insecticides every few days. Make sure you spray those dark corners, crevices, and cabinets. You’ll be amazed at the number of pests you’ll find dead in the morning. Just make sure that household members are not exposed to the insecticide as they are not the target. Just spray selected rooms when people are not around.
6. Wear pants, pajamas, long sleeves, and socks. Mosquitoes are attracted to your breath as you exhale so they know how to reach you even in the dark. “I guess they love bare, plump skin, especially the kids who don’t shoo them away and let them suck as much blood as they want,” Dr. Ong believes.
7. Apply insect-repellants or use mosquito nets. If your kids are going hiking, camping or off to school, you can apply insect-repellants like Off-Lotion. Kids like to play outdoors and are prime targets of these mosquitoes. You can wipe it on selected areas of the clothing like collars, sleeves and pants. Avoid applying lotion on the eyes, mouth or hands.
8. Kill those mosquitoes. When it comes to dengue, it’s either kill or be killed. Instruct everyone to kill as many mosquitoes and flies as they can. Once you’ve got them trapped in your bathroom, show no mercy. Mosquitoes belong to the forest, not in your home.
9. Involve the whole community. The best way to defeat dengue is if the whole community is aware of the threat. Ask your community leaders to schedule a clean-up day. The danger is in those empty houses and lots, which are excellent breeding places for mosquitoes. Become a volunteer to monitor and clean up your surroundings.
10. Spread the word: Dengue fever is here. You’ll never know where dengue will strike next so better be prepared. Inform your neighborhood.
“We already know our enemy and all we have to do is follow what the experts have been telling us,” Dr. Garcia points out. “If we will do it now, thousands of people will be saved from death.”
