3 Facts About Dengue Fever That You Should Know

I already mentioned once why I am so paranoid with dengue fever. We lost a love one (husband’s nephew) 3 years ago from dengue. Anything about dengue, my blog is open. So when I received an invite for a dengue fever management event, I have to attend, even if it means braving Makati (and the traffic) on FRIDAY!. It was all worth it. Anything to help raise awareness about dengue and dengue fever.

I was planning to write a lengthy article about dengue, but I did that na pala a few years back. In the spirit of list blogging (and for easy understanding and faster writing haha), I present to you FACTS about Dengue Fever that You Should Know. 

1. Things you should know about Aedes aegypti:

• Aedes aegypti is a striped mosquito (see photo above) and though usually known to bite at dusk and dawn, they can bite and spread the infection at anytime of the day, all year round.
• Aedes aegypti life span is only 4 weeks but their egg can last for more than a year, even on dry land. 
• Aedes aegypti can transmits the virus by biting an infected person then biting another but it will take 8 days after the bite before they can transmit the virus. 

2. Things you should know about Dengue Fever: 

• Dengue fever is transmitted by the Aedes aegypti
• There are 4 types of dengue virus and being infected once does not give you immunity to this virus. A person can get infected 4x but from Dr. Gatchalian mentioned that if you got infected twice, there is little chance of being infected again.
• Dengue fever can be cured but if left untreated, it can lead to death.
• The only way to treat it is to manage the fever (and water therapy). The only fever management medicine for dengue is PARACETAMOL.

• When dengue fever is suspected, go to the nearest health center or hospital for diagnosis and treatment.

3. What we can do to prevent dengue? 

• Search and Destroy. Search for stagnant water around your house since this is where Aedes aegypti breed. Destroy all the breeding grounds to prevent mosquitoes from laying eggs.
• Self protection measures such as wearing longer clothes and applying insect repellent products.
• Seek early consultaion when there is fever for more than 2 days.
• Say NO to indiscriminate fogging. Fogging will only drive mosquitoes away, only say YES to fogging during outbreaks.

BONUS: Help save lives by spreading awareness about Dengue Fever, how to manage it and how to prevent it.