Dengue 2015

While sore eyes has not gone to a total exit, Dengue comes marching in. Around 800,000 thousand cases of Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) were reported from January to September of this year. Report of alarming increase in hospital confinements and death due to the febrile illness was sent out as warning to the public by the Department of Health.

What is DHF?

Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever is transmitted via bite by a day-biting mosquito — Aedes aegypti. Person-to-person transmission does not occur. Southeast Asia, including the Philippines, is an identified region in the world where the greatest risk for DHF can occur.

Diagnosing DHF

DHF is diagnosed through the study and analysis of the course of the disease. This is established through clinical history and examination. History will of course include a stay or trip to an endemic area or a place where Dengue is reported; correlated with the presence of a febrile condition.

Signs and symptoms include: fever, dehydration, big lymph nodes, joint pains, Skin rash or small spots or dots in the body or extremities (small spots of hemorrhages appearing between two and five days after onset of fever), headache, abdominal pains, and convulsion (in some cases). Nausea and vomiting may be present. Tell your doctor for any signs of bleeding, such as one coming from the nose, bleeding gums, and easily bruised skin that are important signs in DHF and should never be missed out. Symptoms can usually last up to 10 days.

Blood tests are available to check for viral antibodies and infection. Blood tests can also establish the presence of active bleeding or hemorrhage that may lead to shock and even death.

Treatment

There is no specific treatment for DHF. Treatment is on a symptom-by-symptom basis. Patients with DHF are monitored for bleeding or hemorrhage that is a known complication. Bleeding in patients with DHF is managed accordingly. There is no preventive immunization against Dengue. Papaya leaves squeezed or ground and the herb tawa-tawa are herbal medicines that can stop bleeding or hemorrhage in DHF.

How to prevent dengue fever

Avoid heavily populated or crowded areas. Stay inside air-conditioned room. House windows should be screened. Wear protective clothing (long-sleeved shirt with pants). Wear long socks. Use mosquito repellent indoors and outdoors. Reduce mosquito population by getting rid of breeding areas, such as pet dishes, empty flowerpots, empty cans or containers, and water-collection vessels, in places where water pressure or supply is low.