Dengue fever is widespread in Bangladesh every year from June-July to October-November. There is a fear of dengue outbreak this time too. And that’s why public awareness is needed.
Children are mostly affected by dengue fever. It is a disease carried by the Aedes mosquito. This mosquito breeds in stagnant water around the house and usually bites during the day. If proper treatment is taken in time, dengue fever does not cause harm or death to the child.
There are four stages of infection of this disease
* The first involves fever, which is initially difficult to distinguish from other viral fevers.
* Bleeding in the nose, mouth and esophagus may occur in the second stage.
* In the third stage, along with the bleeding, there is plasma leakage or the plasma goes out through the veins and veins. Due to this, platelets and white blood cells decrease, hemacrit/hemoglobin increases. As a result of this, many people go into shock, that is, the hands and feet become cold, the speed of the veins increases, the blood pressure decreases. This is called ‘dengue shock syndrome’.
* The fourth and worst stage is ‘Expanded Dengue Syndrome’. At this stage, liver, kidney, brain and heart problems occur.
* How to understand that a child has dengue fever-
According to the symptoms of fever, this fever is divided into three stages.
* First stage: Fever may last for three to five days.
The symptoms are:
* High fever (103 degrees to 105 degrees Fahrenheit).
* Violent headache, especially in the forehead.
* Pain behind the eye, which is aggravated by turning the eyeball.
* Whole body pain and joint pain.
* Nausea or vomiting.
Second stage: During this period the fever subsides, but there is a risk of bleeding or fainting. Which can last up to two or three days. Sometimes just the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, or under the skin on the body become red and itchy.
Symptoms of internal bleeding or fainting are:
* Severe and continuous abdominal pain.
* Bleeding from the nose, mouth, gums or under the skin.
* Repeated vomiting with bleeding.
* Tarry stools.
* Excessive thirst or dry tongue.
* Diminished urination.
* Red spots appear on the body with fever.
* Blood clots in the white part of the eye.
* The body becomes cold or pale.
* Excessive sweating.
The specific symptoms are:
* Sleepy sleep.
* Continuous crying.
* Shortness of breath.
If any of these symptoms appear, see a doctor or take the child to the hospital immediately.
* Third stage: The child gets better in a few days. Although the body remains weak, the patient can eat and walk. In total, the duration of the illness may last from 7 to 10 days.
First aid and care
* Try to keep body temperature below 101 degrees Fahrenheit. Repeatedly wet the cloth in warm water and wipe the body.
* Use paracetamol only to reduce fever (no more than four times a day). Do not use medicines like Ibuprofen, Aspirin, Diclofen. They increase bleeding.
* Give the baby more water or water-like foods, such as saline, canned food, soup, milk, fruit juice and other foods with these.
* If repeated vomiting, take to hospital.
* If there is any bleeding problem, take it to the hospital immediately.
Dengue is spread by mosquito bites. Hence, they usually occur during the rainy season which helps both mosquito survival and reproduction. Unlike all other fevers where the danger is during the fever, the danger during dengue is when the fever subsides. Children with dengue with warning signs such as vomiting, abdominal pain, restlessness or lethargy, and bleeding from any site require admission for close observation.
* Personal security
Mosquito net should be used in bed while sleeping. Children should wear light colored full sleeve shirt and full pant, so that arms and legs are fully covered. Also school uniforms that cover the entire arms and legs. Socks and shoes should be worn to fully cover the feet.
Eliminate mosquitoes
* Mosquito repellent should be applied regularly at home. Use mosquito spray. Potential places where mosquitoes live include under furniture, behind curtains, and outdoor areas such as garages, bushes, beds, and thick vegetation around the house.
* Install screens on school windows and doors.
* Avoid creating damp and dark places where mosquitoes live.
* Regularly fogging classrooms, playgrounds and around schools during recess. Best done in the evening or early morning when mosquito activity is highest.
Mosquito control
* Gardens should be kept neat and tidy and shrubs should be trimmed as short as possible. Although it is not a breeding ground, it serves as a potential hiding place for adult mosquitoes that are future breeders.
* Do not store water in plant tubs, buckets, old tires or any containers.
* Remove all garbage that can hold water like tins, pots and tires which are breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
* Do not construct artificial ponds or reservoirs. If there is already a pond or reservoir, use larvicidal agents or larvicidal fish in it.
* Clear clogged rain gutters and drains.
Complexity
Dengue fever usually subsides by the fourth day. In most cases, many recover after the fever. From the fifth to the seventh day is the critical phase. Then plasma leakage begins and subsequent complications occur in succession. Bleeding or shock may then occur.
Again there are exceptions. Before the fever subsides i.e. within 3 to 4 days blood pressure decreases, watery stomach and chest appear. In this case the patient goes into shock, bleeding starts.
Severe illness from dengue fever is very serious. Of the four types of dengue that have been identified in Bangladesh, the most virulent type, ‘DenV3’, infected most people in 2019. In 2021, this type of dengue was seen.
* Possible causes of complications
The possible reason is that the four types of dengue virus are different, and complications are more common if someone gets infected a second time. Apart from this, there is a risk of increased complications due to the body’s immune system and response against the virus.
remember
* In case of fever, only paracetamol should be given to reduce the fever.
* Yogurt should be sponged on the body with warm water.
* Sufficient water, saline and fluids should be drunk.
* To avoid complications, consult a doctor immediately.
* Mosquito net should be used while sleeping.
* Care should be taken about the cleanliness of the house. In particular, water should not accumulate anywhere.
How do I know if my child has dengue?
Symptoms: Your Infant Can’t Tell You He or She is Sick
Sleepiness, lack of energy, or irritability. Rash. Unusual bleeding (gums, nose, bruising) Vomiting (at least 3 times in 24 hours)
Can children get dengue?
Dengue is extremely common in tropical areas and it can also infect anyone within any age group, whether it’s children or adults. However, children are more prone to this disease as they play outdoors and are also not completely aware of the complexities of these mosquito bites.
Which repellent is best for dengue?
When used as directed, EPA-registered insect repellents are proven safe and effective, even for pregnant and breastfeeding women.
- DEET.
- Picaridin (known as KBR 3023 and icaridin outside the US)
- IR3535.
- Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE)
- Para-menthane-diol (PMD)
- 2-undecanone.
How can I prevent dengue fast?
4 Things to do to recover from dengue fever fast
- Maintain adequate hydration. Drink plenty of fluids (water, isotonic drinks, fruit juices and soup) to maintain hydration. …
- Keep symptoms under control. Fever and joint pains can be relieved by taking paracetamol. …
- Avoid bleeding. …
- Foods to eat and avoid.
What is the home remedy for dengue in children?
- Rest as much as possible.
- Control fever. Give acetaminophen (also known as paracetamol) to control fever and relieve pain. …
- Prevent dehydration – Dehydration occurs when a person loses too much body fluid from fever, vomiting, or not drinking enough liquids.
What happens in dengue in kids?
Dengue presents with sudden onset of fever, severe headache, muscle and joint pains (severe pain that gives it the nick-name break-bone fever) and rash on body. There may also be gastritis with abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
How can I prevent dengue at home?
Use screens on windows and doors. Repair holes in screens to keep mosquitoes outside. Once a week, empty and scrub, turn over, cover, or throw out items that hold water, such as tires, buckets, planters, toys, pools, birdbaths, flowerpots, or trash containers.
Who is at risk for dengue?
You have a greater risk of developing dengue fever or a more severe form of the disease if: You live or travel in tropical areas. Being in tropical and subtropical areas increases your risk of exposure to the virus that causes dengue fever.
What smell does mosquito hate?
‘Mosquitos don’t like certain smells, such as lavender, citronella, or eucalyptus. These smells deter mosquitoes because they produce chemicals that mosquitoes don’t like – namely linalool and geraniol,’ says Melanie Rose, a pest specialist at Nationwide Pest Control.
How many days does a dengue fever last?
Dengue fever
Dengue causes flu-like symptoms and lasts for 2-7 days. Dengue fever usually occurs after an incubation period of 4-10 days after the bite of the infected mosquito. High Fever (40°C/ 104°F) is usually accompanied by at least two of the following symptoms: Headaches.
In which season dengue is more common?
The peak of the dengue epidemic period is around June to August during the rainy season. It is believed that climate is an important factor for dengue transmission. Method. A mathematical model for vector–host infectious disease was used to calculate the impacts of climate to the transmission of dengue virus.
What color is best to wear to avoid mosquitoes?
So, if you’re looking to avoid the itchy bites, researchers at the University of Washington say to avoid colors like cyan, orange, red and black. Instead, you should focus on wearing colors mosquitoes ignore like white, blue, green and purple.
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