News Desk: Dengue fever is an acute viral disease, which is not only found in rainy season, but at any time. It is caused by the Flavivirus of the family Flaviviridae and as similar as chikungunya.

It occurs either in tropical and subtropical regions epidemically. The term "Dengue" comes from a Spanish phrase "Ki denga pepo" meaning "cramp-like seizure" caused by an evil spirit.


The fever lasts up to 10 days and causes severe joint and muscle pain that the patient will feel like bones are breaking. It is also called "break bone" fever. The patient takes at least one month to have complete recovery.


The Dengue scare is spreading to many parts of India including Odisha. The fever is not an airborne infection rather a vector borne infection. The virus is transmitted through mosquito bites. It infects when Aedes aegypti, a specific species of mosquito, bites during morning hours. If the mosquito would have bitten an infected person, the chances are more to be transmitted the virus in another person with a bite of the same mosquito.


Dengue symptoms:

Symptoms are found within five to six days after the patient is bitten by an infected mosquito.

* High-grade fever.

* Severe headache.

* Severe joint and muscle pain.

* Nausea and vomiting.

* Skin rash – The rash may appear over most of the body 3 to 4 days after fever.

* Bleeding from the nose, gums or under the skin, causing purplish bruises.


Dengue severity classification:

Dengue can be classified into four as per the severity of the fever.

* Grade I (fever and constitutional symptoms)

* Grade II (grade I symptoms and spontaneous bleeding from skin, gums or gastrointestinal tract)

* Grade III (grade II symptoms and agitation and circulatory failure)

* Grade IV (profound shock)


The patient can be diagnosed by going through a blood test that detects antibodies against the virus.


How to prevent dengue?

As prevention is better that cure, people should be aware of the cause of the disease.

1. Avoiding mosquito bites. People can use mosquito repellents at workplace.

2. Eliminating dirty water sites where mosquito breeds.

3. Never store water in open containers and cover all the water containers with lids.

4.  Preventing mosquito entry by keeping doors closed and windows screened at evenings and nights.

5. Wearing protective clothing like long-sleeved shirts, long pants, socks and shoes when outdoors.

6. Using mosquito nets at home.

7. Scrubbing and cleaning water containers to dislodge the eggs of Aedes aegypti

8. Covering overhead tank to prevent access to mosquitoes.

9. Precautions should be taken during early morning hours before day break as the Aedes mosquitoes usually bite during the day.

10. People should consult doctors if anyone is suspected with dengue fever in their area.

 

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