As the rainy season is here, cases of the dreaded dengue have been steadily increasing in recent days in all parts of Nepal, mainly affecting the Terai region. With the number of cases on the rise, it’s important to take steps to protect yourself and your family members from dengue.
Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral disease transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected female mosquito of the Aedes Aegypti species. Following a mosquito bite infected with dengue virus, the symptoms appear between 3-15 days. Initial symptoms that appear during the first hours of sickness are headache, chills, pain during eye movement and lower back pain. A few days later, a fever as high as 40 degree Celsius may appear. The critical phase occurs in 5% of all cases of dengue fever and includes fluid accumulation in the chest and abdominal cavity, severe abdominal pain, organ failure and hemorrhage. Dehydration, gum bleeding and gastrointestinal tract bleeding usually occur during this phase.
Treatment
In general, the use of supportive and symptomatic treatment is widely used for dengue treatment, aiming to limit the complications of the infection. Medications such as Paracetamol must be used to reduce fever and joint pain can be relieved with analgesics. Aspirin and Ibuprofen should be avoided to reduce the risk of bleeding. We should take steps to prevent dehydration by drinking plenty of fluids and getting plenty of rest during the course of illness.
Essential tests
In the first 48 hours since the onset of symptoms, one should undergo NS1 antigen test and IgM, IgG, as well, done to diagnose the dengue infection. A normal platelet count is between 150,000 and 400,000 per microliter of blood, and therefore this count should be properly monitored throughout the infection.
In simple dengue, oral fluid replacement (plain water, Jeevan Jal, coconut water, fruit juice, soup) is sufficient and there is no need for hospitalization. In severe cases of dengue infection, i.v fluid therapy (Normal Saline/DNS) should be carefully used under close observation in a hospital. The preferable new treatment for dengue would be an antiviral drug ribavirin which is reported to have cytostatic and inhibitory effects on the dengue virus.
Prevention and control
There are several steps we can take to help protect ourselves and our friends and families from dengue. The most important step is to take steps to control mosquito populations in and around the home. Using mosquito nets or screens on windows and doors, wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants when outdoors, and using mosquito repellents when outside can help prevent dengue to a large extent. We should also remove artificial collection of water, found mainly in broken pots, tyres, garbage, plates under flower pots, boxes etc which are the main breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
While traveling to an area where there is a higher risk of dengue, it’s important to take extra precautions such as wearing long-sleeved clothing, using mosquito repellents (odomos) and nets when outdoors.
Helpline numbers
If you are infected or suspected to have been infected, you can call helpline 1180 or 1115 and get consultation from health workers and in case of any emergency please contact 102 for an ambulance for free of cost.
Small bites, big threats. So, let’s be aware and protect ourselves and our community from dengue.
