10 Practical Tips to be Mosquito-free and Prevent Dengue!

Dengue is one of the common diseases caused by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes during the monsoons. Also known as ‘break bone fever’, these mosquitoes bite during the day (as against malaria, where these parasites attack during the night time). As the common breeding grounds for mosquitoes are man-made containers and stagnant water, implementing few hygiene and sanitation measures might help to prevent the disease. 


Here are a few simple and practical tips to keep dengue at bay:

#1: Turn over empty pails and buckets, so that they do not collect excess water.  If the container that contains water cannot be emptied, remember to cover it well when not in use.

#2: Remember to clean out empty flower pots and not to over water potted plants. It is advised to not have any stagnant water around as it acts as breeding ground for the mosquitoes.

#3: Apply mosquito repellents on all exposed areas, during the day as well as at night on a regular basis to prevent dengue. Here are some innovative ways to keep your home mosquito free.

#4: Make sure your window and door screens do not have any holes. If so, block those areas properly to eliminate mosquitoes.

#5: If someone at home is ill with dengue, try to not let the mosquitoes bite them or others in the house.

#6: Always sleep under a mosquito net (especially small children as they sleep during the day and hence, the chance of mosquito bite is high during this time). Know in detail how to save your baby from mosquito bites.

#7: If you use a cooler remember to empty out and clean the water tray regularly, even when not in use.

#8: Always cover your trash can or dustbin when not in use.

#9: A natural method to keep mosquitoes at bay is to plant tulsi near your window. The plant has properties that do not allow mosquitoes to breed. Read about 10 natural ways to keep your home mosquito-free.

#10: Using camphor as a repellent also works wonders. Light camphor in a room and close all the doors and windows. Leave it this way for about fifteen to twenty minutes to have a mosquito free environment.

Caused due to the bite of an infected female aedes aegypti mosquito, the disease can be fatal. Once bitten it takes about four to ten days for the symptoms to show. The most common symptoms are –

• High fever,
• Severe headache,
• Pain behind the eyes
• Nausea and vomiting
• Swollen glands
• Muscle and joint pain
• Skin rash (in some cases)

The more severe forms of dengue are hemorrhagic fever and dengue shock syndrome. There is no clear treatment for the condition nor is there a vaccine against it, so the best way is to prevent the disease from occurring at all. As dengue is a completely preventable condition, all you have to do is take a few steps to keep yourself and your family safe. 

Source: http://www.thehealthsite.com/diseases-conditions/prevent-dengue-with-these-10-practical-tips/

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS : DENGUE / DENGUE FEVER

Where does the disease occur?

Dengue is mainly transmitted by a mosquito (Aedes aegypti) and is distributed across  all tropical countries. Ae. aegypti and other species such as Ae. albopictus are highly adaptive and their combined distribution can spread dengue higher up north across Europe or North  America during summer. (Note: Travellers already infected with the virus also spread the disease when they get bitten by the local Aedes mosquito population).

Dengue outbreaks can occur anytime, as long as the mosquitoes are still active. However, in general, high humidity and temperature are conditions that favor mosquito survival, increasing the likelihood of transmission.

What is the treatment for dengue?

There is no vaccine or specific medication for dengue fever.

Patients should seek medical advice, rest and drink plenty of fluids. Paracetamol  can be taken to bring down fever and reduce joint pains. However, aspirin or ibuprofen should not be taken since they can increase the risk of bleeding.

Patients who are already infected with the dengue virus can transmit the infection  via Aedes mosquitoes after the first symptoms appear (during 4-5 days; maximum 12). As a precautionary approach, patients can adopt measures to reduce transmission by sleeping under a treated net especially during the period of illness  with fever.

Infection with one strain will provide lifetime protection only against that particular strain. However, it is still possible to become infected by other strains and develop into  severe dengue.

When warning signs of severe dengue are present (listed above), it is imperative to  consult a doctor and seek hospitalization to manage the disease.

With proper medical care and early recognition, case-fatality rates are below 1%. However, the overall experience remains very discomforting and  unpleasant.

What should I do if I suspect I have dengue?

If you suspect you have dengue you need to see a doctor immediately. To diagnose  dengue  fever, your doctor will:

·    Evaluate your signs and symptoms;

·    Test your blood for evidence of a dengue virus;

·    Review your medical and travel history.

Persons who had travelled to dengue endemic countries during the past two weeks  should inform the doctor about it.

Personal and household protection

Protecting yourself from mosquito bites is most effective by reducing exposed skin  to  a mosquitoes to bite on. Long-sleeved clothing and mosquito repellents (containing DEET, IR3535 or Icaridin) are  the most viable options.

Window and door screens, air conditioning reduces the risk of mosquitoes coming  into contact with the household members. Mosquito nets (and/or insecticide-treated nets) will also provide additional protection to people sleeping during the  day, or protect against other mosquitoes which can bite at night (such as malaria).  Household insecticides aerosols, mosquito coils or other insecticide vaporizers maybe also  reduce biting  activity.

Source from World Health Organization

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