What To Do To Protect Yourself From the Dengue Virus

Dengue fever is a viral illness. The virus spreads through the bite of a particular mosquito (Aedes aegypti). There are four different types of this virus, known as
(DENV 1, DENV 2, DENV 3, DENV 4).

According to the figures in the World Health Organization (WHO) report, 25,923 people in Pakistan contracted dengue in 2022, of whom 62 lost their lives. Dengue fever is a rapidly spreading illness, and when the dengue virus circulates, hospitals across the country fill up with patients suffering from it.

Let us look at what to do to stay safe from this illness, and what measures should be taken for the treatment and recovery of an affected patient if someone does contract dengue.

Symptoms

High fever
Pain behind the eyes
Pain in the muscles and joints
Nausea and vomiting
Marks on the body

How does dengue fever occur?

According to experts, not every mosquito causes the dengue virus. Rather, it is caused by a particular female mosquito. It can be identified by the white spots on its body. The dengue virus passes into the human body through the bite of this mosquito. Dengue fever begins to spread rapidly when these mosquitoes find an environment favourable for breeding. The larvae of the dengue mosquito grow in clean water in relatively mild temperatures or during the rainy season. The bite of this mosquito causes dengue fever, which can lead to problems such as weakness, vomiting, a rapid heartbeat, body pain, difficulty breathing, fainting and bleeding from the body.

Diagnosis

During a medical examination, on observing the symptoms, doctors prescribe antigen and antibody tests — NS1, IgM, IgG and PCR — to diagnose dengue fever. These confirm whether or not it is dengue fever.
From the third day of the fever until 48 hours after the fever ends, a CBC and Hematocrit test (Hct)
are carried out daily so that the patient's blood can be monitored continuously.

Treatment

The symptoms of dengue fever usually appear within 3 to 6 days. When any virus enters our body it does not become active immediately; its first stage is the incubation period. In this stage the virus spreads through the blood into our body and strengthens itself. As the dengue virus spreads through the body, our immune system, which fights disease, weakens, and alongside this the platelets — an important component of the blood — begin to fall. The platelet count, which in a normal healthy person can range from 150,000 to 450,000, begins to drop once dengue takes hold. Dengue begins in the form of a high fever. At this stage the patient needs as much rest as possible. The second stage of dengue is more delicate: falling platelets, a reduction in the body's fluid because of leakage from the blood vessels, or bleeding from somewhere may appear. The situation becomes alarming for doctors when a patient's platelets begin to fall below 50,000. In such a situation there is a risk of the patient going into shock. In this condition it is necessary for the patient to be admitted to hospital, so that if bleeding begins an attempt can be made to stop it immediately, and so that mega units or plasma (FFP) — that is, additional platelets — can be given to maintain the platelet count in the patient's body. The key element of treatment is maintaining the circulation of fluid and blood in the body. Very few patients reach such a condition. Otherwise dengue usually begins to break within five to seven days and the patient's health begins to return. This state of recovery is called the third stage. In this stage the person affected by dengue may develop a fever again, or symptoms such as abdominal pain or weakness may appear.

There is no specific treatment available for dengue fever. Dengue fever usually resolves on its own. To restore the patient's health quickly, as much rest as possible is advised, and fresh fruit juice, soup and the like are recommended. Treating a patient suffering from severe dengue is not possible outside hospital. With appropriate and timely treatment, the chance of the patient's life being put at risk is low. 

Caution with medicines
Dengue patients should generally avoid using any medicine on their own, because doctors prescribe medicine after considering the patient's condition. Taking any medicine oneself without consulting a doctor can also be harmful, because some medicines carry a risk of lowering the platelets.

Precautions to prevent dengue

1. Wear loose, light-coloured clothes with full sleeves and long shalwar or trousers.

2. Keep insect repellent lotion applied to the exposed parts of the body such as the face and hands.

3. Do not store clean water inside or outside the house. If water is standing anywhere, spray kerosene oil on it.

4. Mosquitoes remain active until two hours after sunset and after sunrise. Take particular care during these times.

5. Spray insecticide on a daily basis. Have screens fitted on the windows and doors of the house.

6.  Keep affected people in isolation, because the virus can pass from a dengue patient to others even through the bite of an ordinary mosquito.

7. Have small children sleep under a mosquito net.

8. Do not let water stand for many days in flowerpots and similar containers in the house.

9. Install electric insect killers in offices and classrooms.

The summary of all this is that dengue spreads from one particular mosquito. To prevent dengue, eliminate mosquitoes; and if eliminating mosquitoes is not possible, protect yourself from mosquito bites by adopting various precautions.

If a high fever or other symptoms of dengue appear, the patient should consult a doctor immediately