Prevent dengue, as the dengue menace is likely in October
Posted on: 27/Sep/2017 3:31:29 PM
In Chennai, in the months of July, October, November and January, dengue flourishes and peaks. Generally, in our country, the monsoons from west coast are likely in July, and it brings mild rain showers in Tamil Nadu. However, we have the east coast monsoon in October and November.
A total of 2,357 dengue cases were observed in 2014-15 between January and mid of September. This included 5 deaths. Out of the total count, 80 of them were reported in Chennai city. There is a menacing increase in dengue cases because the total number of cases reported in the previous year was 1,146 and has raised to 2,357!
Districts in Tamil Nadu that are earmarked as highly dengue prone are Krishnagiri, Dharmapuri, Salem, Theni, Tirupur, and Trichy.
Symptoms of dengue
In case of mild infection of dengue, there might not be any visible symptom in children or teenagers. Only after 4 to 10 days of the victim being bitten, the symptoms may get apparent. Listed below are some of the most common symptoms of dengue:
- Very high fever of about 106 F or 41 degree Celsius
- Feeling nauseous
- Gums and nose start bleeding
- Pain experienced at the rear ends of eyes
- Headache
- Pain in joints, bones and muscles
- Rashes in the body
In general, it takes about a week to recover. In case if the infection is too high, you may find the following symptoms prevalent due to drop in the ability for blood clotting.
- Nose and mouth bleed
- Bleeding skin which may look like bruise
- Chronic abdominal pain
- Signs of distress in lungs, liver and heart
- Continuous vomit
What causes dengue?
Dengue causing mosquitoes are of 4 different kinds. They flourish in and around human dwellings. If a mosquito bites a dengue victim, it turns into a dengue vector. This vector, if bites another healthy individual, the dengue virus passes on. Once a person gets hit by dengue fever once in their life, their immunity towards the particular strain will get built. However, they may be affected by the remaining other 3 strains of dengue. It is in these cases that the risk of dengue hemorrhagic fever is high.
How to prevent dengue?
Still, the vaccines for dengue fever are in nascent stage. So, being precautionary is the only way to safeguard yourself from dengue.
Make use of mosquito screens in windows and balcony. Make sure that your rooms you live in receive good lighting. While here is a popular belief that mosquitoes that bite in dawn, dusk and evening hours cause dengue, researches state that the mosquitoes causing dengue usually feed in the dark.
Protect yourself with long sleeved clothing, fully covered pant, socks and shoes. Go for natural methods to prevent from mosquito bite. Never leave room for mosquitoes to breed.
When you observe any symptom of dengue, consult with a doctor immediately and get necessary treatment.
