Dengue Information

Source of information...

2007-09-28T18:51:00.002+05:30

A fact sheet on Prevention of Dengue by Division of Control of Tropical Diseases and Division of Communicable Diseases, World Health Organization (WHO)

Prevent mosquitoe bites

2007-09-28T18:51:00.001+05:30

People can protect themselves from mosquito bites by using any of the following means-

Mosquito coils and electric vapour mats-Slow burning mosquito coils or electric vapour mats are effective in the rainy season, just after sunrise and/or in the afternoon hours before sunset, when dengue mosquitoes bite.

Mosquito nets -Nets placed over sleeping places can protect small children and others who may rest during the day. The effectiveness of such nets can be improved by treating them with permethrin (a pyrethroid insecticide). Curtains (cloth or bamboo) can also be treated with insecticide and hung at windows or doorways, to repel or kill mosquitoes.

Repellents -Mosquito repellents can be applied to exposed parts of the body where mosquitoes bite. Care should be taken in using repellents on small children and the elderly.

Screens-Screens on windows and doorways are effective protection against the entry of mosquitoes in homes.

Protection of people sick with dengue -Mosquitoes become infected when they bite people who are sick with dengue. Mosquito nets and mosquito coils will effectively prevent mosquitoes from biting sick people and help stop the spread of dengue.

How do I prevent the breeding of Aedes mosquitos?

2007-09-28T18:49:00.006+05:30

One can actively play a role in preventing Ades mosquitos from breeding. Since mosquitos breed in stagnant water, one can pour off water that accumulate at the base of their flower pots every 3 days, change the water in their vase daily, clear blockage in the roof gutter and so on. By destroying every possible breeding grounds for mosquitos, the number of mosquitoes will reduce significantly.

Where do Ades mosquitos strive geologically?

2007-09-28T18:49:00.005+05:30

Ades Mosquitoes are normally found in tropical countries (eg. Southeast Asia, India, South Africa etc.)

How do I identify an Ades mosquito?

2007-09-28T18:49:00.004+05:30

Ades mosquitoes have white strips on their legs and white spots on their body.

What effects does the virus posed on the body?

2007-09-28T18:49:00.003+05:30

What effects does the virus posed on the body?

The dengue virus affects our platelet production. Our platelets in a human body can survive for about 4 days and is replenished when needed. However, when a person is being infected by an Aedes mosquito, a patientâ€™s platelet count will start to fall below our normal platelet count ( 1.0 Lakh/volume). If our platelet count falls below 50K, the patient can be in a very critical condition or may even cause death. When the platelet count falls, it inhibits the formation of clots which will result in internal and eternal bleeding (haemorrage). Once the bleeding begins, it may cause severe problems.

If I had dengue before, can I get it again?

2007-09-28T18:49:00.001+05:30

Yes. People who were infected by dengue viruses previously, are at higher risks of getting dengue hemorrhagic fever if infected again.

What is the difference between dengue fever and Dengue haemorrhagic fever?

Dengue fever is caused by any of the 4 kinds of viruses and they include DEN-1, DEN-2, DEN-3 and DEN-4.

Dengue haemorrhagic is a more fatal form of Dengue fever and can cause death if it was left untreated.

What is the difference between dengue fever symptoms and dengue haemorrhagic fever symptoms?

Dengue Fever:

- Fever, headace, rash etc.

Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever:

-leaking of blood vessel

-> bleeding from nose, mouth and gums

-> Bruising- signs of internal bleeding

Can dengue be spread from person to person?

2007-09-28T18:47:00.002+05:30

No. The viruses cannot be transmitted from person to person. The only mode of transmission is through the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito.

How do I tell the difference between dengue and flu?

2007-09-28T18:47:00.001+05:30

Common Symptoms:

-Fever, headace and rash

However, other dengue symptoms include:

-Pain behind eyes
-Pain in muscles and joints
-Nausea and vomitting
-Loss of appetite

Is there any vaccination against dengue?

2007-09-28T18:47:00.000+05:30

There is currently no vaccine available to prevent dengue infections. However, researches on dengue vaccines are in process. Clinical trials for vaccines are also carried out, for example, the GlaxoSmithKline vaccine

How does dengue spread and what are the main modes of transmission?

2007-09-28T18:41:00.007+05:30

Dengue is spread when a person is bitten by the infected female Aedes aegypti mosquito (vector). The mosquito acquires the virus by biting an infected patient.

Where does Aedes Aegypti breed?

2007-09-28T18:41:00.006+05:30

Dengue mosquitoes breed in stored, exposed water collection systems such as drains, flower vases, plant-pots, discarded bottles and a lot more places where rain water is collected or is stored.

Where are the dengue hotspots in Singapore?

2007-09-28T18:41:00.005+05:30

Dengue affected areas:

17-18 September: Ang Mo Kio, Yishun, Hougang and Marsiling.

24-25 September: Toa Payoh/ Bishan, Tampinese, Choa Chu Kang, Bedok and Boon Lay/ Jurong

1-2 October: Kallang, West Coast and Jurong East.

Who is at risk for dengue?

2007-09-28T18:41:00.004+05:30

Anyone who is bitten by an infected mosquito can get dengue fever. Risk factors for dengue hemorrhagic fever include a person's age and immune status, as well as the type of infecting virus. People who were previously infected with dengue virus are thought to be at greater risk for developing dengue hemorrhagic fever if infected again.

What is the treatment for dengue?

2007-09-28T18:41:00.003+05:30

No specific treatment for classic dengue fever is implemented, but like most people, one will recover completely within 2 weeks. To accelerate and boost recovery, doctors recommend:

* Getting plenty of bed rest
* Drinking lots of fluids
* Taking medicine to reduce fever

Dengue fever patients are not advised to take aspirin. Acetaminophen is safe for most people.

For severe dengue symptoms, such as shock and coma, early emergency treatment with fluid and electrolyte replacement can be lifesaving.

How is dengue diagnosed?

2007-09-28T18:41:00.002+05:30

Dengue fever can be diagnosed by doing two blood tests which are 2 to 3 weeks apart. The tests will show whether a sample of your blood contains antibodies to the virus. In epidemics, a health care provider often can diagnose dengue by typical signs and symptoms, as mentioned above.

What are the symptoms?

2007-09-28T18:41:00.001+05:30

Symptoms of typical uncomplicated dengue generally starts with fever within 5 to 6 days after one have been bitten by an infected mosquito. The symptoms include:

* High fever
* Severe headache
* Retro-orbital (behind the eye) pain
* Severe joint and muscle pain
* Nausea and vomiting
* Rash

Rash may appear over most of your body 3 to 4 days after the fever starts. A second rash may also appear later in the disease.

What is dengue?

2007-09-28T18:41:00.000+05:30

What is dengue?

Dengue fever is an infectious flu-like disease carried by infected mosquitoes. It is caused by any of four related dengue viruses- DEN-1, DEN-2, DEN-3, and DEN-4.