How to protect yourself from the deadly dengue

New Delhi: Before we tell you, how to prevent yourself from the deadly dengue, let's tell you the first symptoms of dengue fever. Most infected people experience Dengue fever, with terrible headache and fever and rashes that can last a week or two. In some cases however, the virus weakens the circulatory system and can lead to haemorrhaging. Children often experience symptoms similar to those of the common cold and gastroenteritis (vomiting and diarrhea), and generally have less severe symptoms than adults, but are at greater risk of severe complications. Classic dengue fever is characterized by Fever: sudden and abrupt onset , may go up to 39.5-41.4°C , lasts for about 1-7 days, then fades away for 1-2 days , it soon recurs with secondary rashes which is usually not as severe as before. Headaches: fever is usually accompanied by headache in front portion of head or behind the eyes Muscular (Myalgia) or bone pain: occurs after onset of fever, affects legs, joints, and lumbar spine , usually the pain gets severe after its onset , the pain may last for several weeks even after the fever has subsided, Other symptoms: nausea and vomiting , loss of appetite , increased sensation to touch , change in taste sensation. Symptoms maybe milder in children than in adults. The acute phase of illness can last for 1 week followed by a 1 to 2 week period of recovery period that is characterized by weakness, malaise and loss of appetite. Rash - red and white patchy rashes. The illness is clinically indistinguishable from Influenza, Measles or Rubella. Dengue Shock Syndrome: Initial stages of the disease resembles symptoms of dengue fever. However fever subsidies after 2 to 7 days followed by signs and symptoms of restlessness , signs of circulatory failure, bleeding or hemorrhagic manifestations including: skin bleeds that appear as blotchy red patches called - Petechiae , bleeding from Nose or Epistaxis , bleeding from gums, bleeding from Stomach - appearing as blood in the vomit , decrease in the blood platelet count (Thrombocytopenia) . Leakage of plasma from vascular compartment leading to increased blood concentration and manifestations of shock. These symptoms when not treated may lead to Dengue Shock Syndrome, which when not treated immediately may lead to profound shock and eventually death. Warning signs of Dengue Shock Syndrome are; severe abdominal pain, vomiting, change in temperature, mental irritability. As most of us already know, dengue is a flu-like viral disease spread by the bite of Aedes Aegypti mosquito infected with dengue Virus. Dengue virus is a major threat to health in tropical countries around the world. As per the estimates of WHO nearly 50-100 million people get infected every year. In India the dengue infection has been rampant since the time of outbreaks. All the outbreaks have assumed significance, on account of their severity, frequency and clinical profile. Moreover the distribution of all the Dengue Serotypes (DEN-1,DEN-2,DEN-3 AND DEN-4) is still expanding. How to prevent dengue: There is as yet no vaccine to protect against dengue fever and the only way to prevent dengue virus transmission is to avoid being bitten by the disease-carrying mosquitoes. This is done by controlling or preventing dengue virus transmission which prevents the vector mosquitoes spreading the disease even further. Guidelines to prevent the Aedes mosquito from breeding. At all times Turn pails and watering cans over and store them under shelter. Remove water in plant pot plates. Clean and scrub the plate thoroughly to remove mosquito eggs. Avoid the use of plant pot plates, if possible. Loosen soil from potted plants to prevent the accumulation of stagnant water on the surface of the hardened soil. Do not block the flow of water in scupper drains along common corridors in HDB estates. Avoid placing potted plants and other paraphernalia over the scupper drains. Cover rarely used gully traps. Replace the gully trap with non-perforated ones and install anti-mosquito valves. Cover bamboo pole holders after use. Rainwater can potentially accumulate in these bamboo pole holders if they are uncovered and create a habitat. No tray or receptacles should be placed beneath and or/ on top of any air-conditioning unit so as not to create a condition favourable for mosquito breeding. Every other day Change water in flower vases. Clean and scrub the inner sides of vases. Wash roots of flowers and plants thoroughly as mosquito eggs can stick to them easily. Once a week Clear fallen leaves and stagnant water in your scupper drains and garden. These leaves could collect water or cause blockages to the drains, thus resulting in the buildup of stagnant water. Clear any stagnant water in your air cooler unit. Once a month Add prescribed amounts of sand granular insecticide into vases, gully traps and roof gutters, even if they are dry. You can see the list of retailers who carry sand granular insecticides in their stores at this webpage: http://www.nea.gov.sg/aedes/insecticides Clear away fallen leaves in roof gutters and apron drains. If structurally feasible, remove the roof gutters.