What are the ways to protect oneself from Dengue fever?
Dengue fever peaks during our country’s monsoon season, which typically falls between October and February, transmission can and does occur year-round.
Transmitted by the bite of infected female Aedes mosquitoes, dengue symptoms resemble those of the flu and include: high fever, pain behind the eyes, joint, muscle and bone pain, severe headache, fatigue, skin rashes.
In advanced cases, dengue hemorrhagic fever can also occur with symptoms such as uncontrollable bleeding, abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, and bruising. This eventually leads to dengue shock syndrome, which can be fatal.
Unfortunately, there is no cure or antiviral medication for dengue fever, and patients are usually treated for the symptoms they present with. This includes pain relievers and more fluids, as well as various home remedies based on crab soup and young papaya leaf juice.
What are the ways to protect oneself from Dengue fever?
However, the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones from Dengue is to avoid getting infected altogether, and you can do it with these simple but effective tips.
1. Preventing mosquito habitats
Aedes mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water and it only takes seven to 10 days for the eggs to hatch and turn into fully formed mosquitoes. Therefore, the most effective way to avoid dengue, especially at home, is to make sure there is no habitat for mosquitoes. You can do this by:
Close your water collection points with a blanket or fine mesh to prevent mosquitoes from entering the water to lay their eggs.
Regularly clean anything that is exposed to water and can easily accumulate, such as B. Flower pots, flower vases, discarded plastic containers, pet water bowls, gutters and drainage areas – even a spilled bottle cap can be a breeding ground for Aedes mosquitoes.
Use of Abate powder in water tanks or other devices that collect water. Malaysia’s Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization have also recommended the use of Consumer Grade Abate (1SG) at recommended doses to treat small containers of drinking water that may be exposed to mosquitoes. .
Put away or discard anything that can collect water.
2. Keep your doors and windows closed
if possible or invest in mosquito nets. While keeping your doors and windows closed as much as possible is a good way to keep mosquitoes and other bugs out, it’s not always the most practical idea.
If you like to ventilate your home regularly, you should invest in good mosquito nets. It allows air to circulate in your room without letting mosquitoes in. However, this is only an effective solution if all possible entry points are protected, including spaces under your doors and vents. Screens should also be checked regularly for cracks, as they are large enough for mosquitoes and other insects to pass through.
Although you may be on the lookout for mosquitoes when you’re awake, you probably won’t notice if you’re bitten while you’re sleeping. If your doors and windows aren’t protected by screens, consider installing a screen to give you that extra layer of protection.
3. Protect your skin from mosquito bites
If you live in a dengue fever hotspot, use electric mosquito repellents to protect your skin from mosquito bites. When you go outside, protect exposed skin with insect repellent sprays. Make sure they contain enough properties to repel mosquitoes and that the ingredients are safe to use on the skin.
Wear long sleeves and long pants, preferably in neutral colors like beige, white and light gray. For extra protection, tuck the bottom of your pants into your socks and use a shirt with a collar. And don’t forget to spray insect repellent on your clothes too.
4. Avoid visiting areas prone to mosquitoes
Mosquitoes love tropical and humid climates, a description that applies to almost all of our country. Aedes mosquitoes are found mainly in urban and semi-urban areas.
In built-up areas, construction sites are a common breeding ground for mosquitoes, but outbreaks can occur anywhere. Download Prudential’s Pulse to keep up to date on dengue hotspots. As well as providing online health tracking, fitness tips and medical advice, the app also includes a dengue fever alert to help you stay up to date with the latest outbreaks in your area and provides a weekly tally cases.
Outside of town, mosquitoes can also breed where there is standing water, such as ponds, wetlands, swamps, and marshes. Avoid entering these areas or protect yourself accordingly.
5. Be Vigilant
If a household member develops dengue fever, be extra vigilant. A mosquito that bites that family member and then bites others can easily spread the disease – it is not uncommon for several members of a household to contract dengue fever at the same time.
Clear any areas that could be potential breeding grounds, spray insect repellent regularly or ask your local council or hire a private contractor to ‘fog’ your home and surrounding areas with insecticide. If your neighborhood is foggy, this could also be a sign that dengue fever cases have been reported in your area – be alert!
Dengue fever does not discriminate, and although many patients recover fully, it is not a particularly pleasant ordeal to go through.
Also, did you know that there are four dengue fever subspecies in Malaysia? Known as DEN 1, DEN 2, DEN 3 and DEN 4, infection with a dengue subtype means that you are immune to that specific subtype and cannot be re-infected.
However, you are not immune to the other three subtypes. It is therefore entirely possible that you have Dengue more than once in your life.
Without a true cure for dengue, the best protection is to take the proactive steps above and avoid getting infected altogether. By protecting ourselves from Dengue, we protect others from Dengue and the best way to do this is to work together as a community to make sure everyone is safe.
