Beware Of Dengue Fever

Entering the rainy season, apart from the air temperature becoming cool to cold, don't forget that there is a dangerous disease that stalks us all the time which we already know as Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (abbreviated as DHF). The cycle of weather conditions, which are sometimes rainy and then interspersed with several hot days, are good conditions for the eggs of the Aedes aegypti mosquito which carries the dengue virus to hatch so that the risk of infection and transmission of the Dengue virus increases drastically. 

The dengue fever virus spreads to humans through the bite of infected Aedes aegypti species mosquitoes. These mosquitoes can also spread the Zika virus, chikungunya and other viruses. Dengue fever is caused by one of four dengue viruses, namely dengue viruses 1, 2, 3, and 4. A person can contract dengue fever several times in his life.  

FREQUENTLY OCCURRING SYMPTOMS

Symptoms appear on days 2-7, high fever usually occurs in the early days, but on the 5th or 6th day it tends to decrease to normal so that often there is no indication of dengue fever if the patient only seeks treatment on the day of the fever symptoms subside. Symptoms that appear include:

• High fever
• Headache
• Muscle and joint pain
• Nauseous
• Vomit
• The body feels weak
• No appetite

A rash / bleeding red spots (petechiae) appear which when pressed on the red spots do not fade in color.

Some cases will improve in 1-2 weeks, but quite a few suffer from severe dengue fever. Because in dengue fever patients there can be plasma leakage which causes a decrease in circulating volume, so quite a few dengue fever sufferers have to be treated and given fluid infusions to prevent complications in the form of Dengue Shock Syndrome which is a condition that can endanger the sufferer's life.

Laboratory tests can be carried out to confirm the diagnosis of Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever. Blood tests that can be carried out include complete hematology tests (whole blood), Dengue IgG & IgM serology and NS1. Blood tests for dengue fever patients will show a decrease in platelet values and an increase in hematocrit. Usually the doctor will advise the patient to be hospitalized if the platelet value drops below one hundred thousand.

PREVENTION OF DENGUE FEVER

The Aedes aegypti mosquito produces 100 – 200 eggs each time it lays and from the development of the egg to becoming an adult Aedes mosquito takes 7-10 days. Therefore, preventive measures to eradicate mosquito nests most need to be carried out by implementing 3M Plus, namely:

• Drain the water reservoir 
• Close the water reservoir
• Recycle used items that have the potential to become mosquito breeding sites
• Brushing the walls of the bathtub because mosquito eggs stick to the walls of the bathtub
• Use a mosquito net when sleeping
• Use anti-mosquito medication
• Plant mosquito repellent plants
• Sprinkle larvicide powder into water reservoirs that are difficult to clean
• Keeping fish that eat mosquito larvae
• Avoid the habit of hanging clothes in the house
• Arrange light and ventilation in the house, so that the house is not too humid.

Apart from implementing 3M Plus, currently there is dengue vaccination available which can be an option to prevent infection with dengue fever.

If you or your family experience complaints and symptoms that are suspected to be dengue fever, immediately consult a doctor to get treatment as early as possible so that you can prevent complications or worsening.