National Dengue Day: Date, Symptoms, Prevention and Treatment

4to40.com May 15, 2024 Public Awareness 459 Views

National Dengue Day:

National Dengue Day: It is observed on 16 May in India to create awareness about dengue, how is it caused, preventive measures and methods to control the disease in the country. Let us study in detail about Dengue and some facts related to it.

National Dengue Day: The day is observed (16 May) with the recommendation of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. Dengue is prevalent across the country.

The Government of India’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has established a day called National Dengue Day to increase public awareness of the disease. On this day, the government’s strategy for controlling the disease before it spreads widely is reviewed along with the steps taken to prevent the epidemic.

More than 100 nations continue to experience dengue endemicity, making it important for people to grasp the disease’s effects and take precautions to stop its spread. To ensure that the public is properly informed on disease symptoms, causes, and prevention, the government organises a variety of activities for public education and disease surveillance.

What is Dengue?

Dengue is a viral disease that is caused by mosquitoes. It can lead to flu-like illnesses like high fever with a headache, and severe muscle and joint pain. In recent decades, the incidence of dengue has increased. Mainly, it occurs in tropical and subtropical areas of the world. Let us read about Dengue fever, its symptoms, prevention, and treatment.

If Dengue is mild then it causes high fever, rash, muscle, and joint pain but if it is severe then it can cause severe bleeding, a sudden drop in blood pressure and death. Severe dengue fever is known as dengue hemorrhagic fever. According to the Directorate of the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP), India has reported more than 67,000 cases of dengue fever till 13 October 2019. In-State and Union Territories of India, dengue is endemic. It is seen that due to floods and monsoon season, rain in certain states causes more fear of dengue cases. The stagnant water condition allows mosquitoes or vectors to breed.

What are the symptoms of Dengue?

During the mild case of dengue fever, hardly any signs or symptoms occur in children or teens. If symptoms occur, they will last for four to seven days after being bitten by an infected mosquito.

Headache
Joint or muscle pain
Nausea
Vomiting
Swollen glands
Pain behind the eyes
Rash etc.

Why are mosquito bites so itchy?

Most people recover within a week or so. But in some cases, symptoms worsen and become life-threatening and cause severe dengue fever. In this condition, blood vessels are damaged or become leaky. Platelets in the bloodstream drop. During severe dengue fever symptoms that occur are:

Severe abdominal pain
Blood in urine, stools or vomiting
Fatigue
Restlessness
Difficulty in breathing
Bleeding from gums or nose
Bleeding under the skin etc.

How is Dengue Fever caused?

Dengue fever is caused due to four types of dengue viruses spread by mosquitoes. All the viruses are spread via mosquito species known as Aedes aegypti or by the Aedes albopictus mosquito. Let us tell you that the dengue virus comprises four distinct serotypes (DEN-1, DEN-2, DEN-3 and DEN-4). They belong to the genus Flavivirus, family Flaviviridae. Aedes aegypti mosquito originated in Africa but is also found in tropical areas around the world. When a mosquito is infected with the dengue virus and bites a person, the virus enters the mosquito. When this infected mosquito bites another person, the virus enters the bloodstream of the person.

Let us tell you that after recovery from dengue fever, there is immunity to the type of virus that infected you but not to the other 3 dengue fever virus types.

How is Dengue prevented?

According to the World Health Organization, a vaccine is not an effective tool, on its own, to reduce dengue fever in areas where the illness is common. It is necessary to control the mosquito population and human exposure which is the most critical part of preventive efforts. Proper clothing may reduce exposure to the amount of skin. Like wearing socks, long-sleeved shirts, etc. It is also important to avoid mosquito bites.

Use mosquito repellents.
Use mosquito traps and nets.
Netting or screens should be there in Windows and Doors.
Scented soaps and perfumes may attract mosquitoes.
Timely removal of stagnant water is a must. Aedes mosquito breeds in clean and stagnant water.

What is the treatment for Dengue fever?

As we know that dengue is a virus, so there is no specific cure or treatment. But intervention can help depending on how severe the disease is.

If the dengue fever is mild then certain treatments may help like:

A person suffering from dengue fever suffers from high fever and vomiting which can lead to dehydration. So, a person should drink clean water rather than tap water. Rehydration salts can also be taken.
Painkillers like Tylenol or paracetamol can help in the reduction of fever.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like aspirin etc. are not advised as they can lead to the risk of internal bleeding.

If the Dengue fever is severe then:

Intravenous fluid (IV) supplementation can help.
For patients suffering from severe dehydration, blood transfusion can be the solution.
If symptoms get worse then hospitalisation is required.

Dengvaxia® (CYD-TDV) is the first dengue vaccine, developed by Sanofi Pasteur and it was licensed in December 2015. It has now been approved by regulatory authorities in about 20 countries.

So, now you may have come to know about dengue fever and its causes, prevention and treatment.